Posted 7 years ago
LOUMANAL
(436 items)
CW member and friend "vetraio50" uploaded some quite interesting post cards a year ago that showed up again this morning depicting scenes from and after the battle of Waterloo.
In the late 60's, I attended an auction in Toronto, Canada where this large and old Engraving was offered for sale. Since I had always been interested in the exploits of Napoleon, I bid on it and was successful. The engraving which measures almost 36" by 16" depicts Wellington and Blucher meeting after the battle of Waterloo near an inn called "A La Belle Alliance" which was located a few miles south of Brussels, Belgium. Wellington wanted to thank Blucher for joining the battle after Wellington was being pushed back by Napoleon's army. Blucher's Prussian army provided the extra help that turned the tide of the battle and eventually defeated Napoleon's army.
Blucher suggested that this major battle be called the battle of "La Belle Alliance" to commemorate the alliance of a coalition consisting of Britain, Russia, Prussia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Sardinia and other Germanic States who had all joined the fight that had just occurred at Waterloo.
The engraving provides in detail a Panoramic view of the carnage and death at the battle of Waterloo.
Sure is a lot of dead and wounded at that "inn" ? Maybe they're props ? LOL ! This seems to me to have that Night Watch feel. Good piece
50,000 men lost their lives in this battle which raged on for days. I wouldn't be surprised that it would have occurred near the inn which was very close to the battle site. In the last photo, you can see one man with a tourniquet on his right arm that probably saved his life. I'm not sure when the Tourniquet was used the first time. Thanks blunderbuss2 for the comments and love. Bob
Blucher sure doesn't get enough credit in the "revised" history.
The detail in this is just amazing!
Thank you shareurpassion for the comments and love and thank you AdeleC, aura, SpiritBear, fortapache and mikelv85 for the loves. Bob
Such a fine engraving well worth bidding on. It always astounds me at how many horses and mules died during different battles.
Thank you roddyq for the comments and love. These animals certainly presented big targets to attack.
Thank you Rick55 for the love. RER
Thank you valentino97, Steptoe1, bijoucaillouvintage and jscott0363 for the loves. Bob
The postcards taught me much about the whole period but this engraving by Daniel Maclise (25 January 1806 – 25 April 1870) puts even more graphic meaning into 'A la Belle Alliance'. Great post.
Well, it sure has put a diff. light on my idea of becoming a soldier when I grow up !
Thanks vetraio50 and blunderbuss2! I always wondered how a horse could maneuver amongst the dead and injured without harming the soldiers lying on the ground.
Thank you Vintagefran for the love. Bob