Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Nicolas Toussaint Charlet died in 1845; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1915.
In context
Grenadier guard. — Nicolas Toussaint Charlet
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 53 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Nicolas Toussaint Charlet (1792–1845) every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1818 Main working years: 1818–1840 Late works: from 1840
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/nicolas-toussaint-charlet-grenadier-guard-A2AAC4-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Gray #969174
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 37 works by this artist, of which 9 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Paris, France
Born in Paris in 1792, Nicolas Toussaint Charlet’s life was inextricably linked to the tumultuous events of post-revolutionary France. His father, a dragoon serving in the Republican army, tragically died in service, leaving his widow, Madame Charlet, and young Nicolas facing profound poverty. Remarkably, this hardship fueled her determination; she secured her son an education at the Lycée Napoléon, a testament to her unwavering spirit and fervent Bonapartist beliefs – a debt of affection that shaped Charlet’s lifelong loyalty.
Charlet's early career began in a surprisingly mundane role within the Paris city administration, registering recruits. However, his innate artistic talent quickly superseded this administrative duty. He found refuge and mentorship in the atelier of Baron Gros, a distinguished painter known for his historical works. It was here that Charlet’s skills blossomed, particularly in lithography – a medium he would master with astonishing speed and ultimately define as his signature style. The demand for military subjects following the Napoleonic Wars provided fertile ground for his burgeoning talent, leading to an astounding output of approximately 2000 prints, watercolours, sepia drawings, and a handful of etchings.
Charlet’s fame exploded with the publication of “Grenadier de la Garde” in 1817 – an image that would become instantly recognizable. This lithograph, depicting a grenadier standing stoically before the barricades of Clichy during the Hundred Days Campaign, carried the powerful motto "La Garde meurt et ne se rend pas" (The Guard Dies and Does Not Surrender). Though often attributed to Cambronne, the phrase originated with Charlet’s design. The image resonated deeply within a nation grappling with the aftermath of defeat, embodying resilience, duty, and national pride – themes that would continue to dominate his work.
The “Grenadier de Waterloo” wasn't merely a depiction of military prowess; it was a carefully constructed symbol. Charlet’s meticulous attention to detail—the soldier’s posture, the uniform, even the subtle expression on his face—created an image that transcended mere illustration and became a potent emblem of French patriotism. It demonstrated his ability to capture not just the physical appearance of soldiers but also their spirit and resolve.
While military subjects remained central to Charlet’s oeuvre, he wasn't solely focused on war. In the 1830s, he embarked on a significant project – “La Vie civile, politique, et militaire du Caporal Valentin,” a series of 50 lithographs depicting the daily life of a young soldier named Valentin. This ambitious work offered a surprisingly nuanced portrayal of civilian and military society, showcasing scenes of everyday routines alongside moments of camaraderie and hardship. These prints demonstrated Charlet’s growing interest in capturing the broader spectrum of French life, moving beyond the heroic narratives of war to explore more intimate and relatable subjects.
His later works continued this trend, including evocative depictions of peasant life, children at play, and scenes of urban activity. These pieces reveal a shift in his artistic focus – a desire to capture the essence of French society as a whole, rather than simply glorifying military victories. The “Episode in the Campaign of Russia,” “Passage of the Rhine by Moreau,” and “Wounded Soldiers Halting in a Ravine” exemplify this evolution, showcasing a refined style and a heightened sense of realism.
Nicolas Toussaint Charlet’s impact on French art is undeniable. He elevated lithography to an artistic medium, demonstrating its capacity for capturing both historical detail and emotional depth. His ability to imbue his prints with patriotic fervor and a keen understanding of human psychology cemented his place as one of the most popular and influential artists of his time. His work served as a powerful reminder of France’s past glories while simultaneously reflecting the social and political realities of 19th-century life. Though he died in 1845, Charlet's legacy continues to resonate through his enduring images – a testament to the power of art to capture history, evoke emotion, and shape national identity.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/nicolas-toussaint-charlet-grenadier-guard-A2AAC4-en/
Look closely
Grenadier guard. — Nicolas Toussaint Charlet
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
Within Nicolas Toussaint Charlet's output, "Grenadier guard." sits in the Historical Realism style, alongside the themes of 19th-century military art, realism, historical scenes, military life, french history, war.
A digital image of "Grenadier guard." by Nicolas Toussaint Charlet can be purchased on its Digital Image page: a high-resolution digital image download.
"Grenadier guard." is shadow overall, and its luminance is soft shadow.