The Chouan By Julien Le Blant

Julien le Blant (1851-1936) was the son of a former director of the Villa Medecis. He specialized in military representations, particularly the Vendée wars. He exhibited at the Salon and received numerous awards. His painting was then known throughout the world. During the 1914-1918 war, he was too old to be mobilized, and his request to go and paint on the front was refused. He then painted the soldiers returning from the trenches in Paris. This watercolor brilliantly captures all the will he could imagine emanating from these poor peasants, armed with odds and ends, dressed in their clothes, here a goatskin, and having only their faith to protect them. Let us remember that they were mercilessly massacred with their entire families by the revolutionary troops for having wanted to resist the changes in the world. The drawing pays homage to this eradicated world. In beautiful, fresh condition, with a few small stains on the paper. The drawing has been framed since the 1940s in a sober golden baguette.