Waterloo, The Retreat of the Holy Battallion, June 18, 1815

Raffet became so enamoured of lithography that, in 1831, he abandoned painting altogether in its favour. He specialized in scenes of the Revolution, Napoleon’s campaigns, and the conquest of Algeria, as well as producing a classic series of illustrations of French army uniforms.

Raffet’s chief works were his lithographs of the Napoleonic campaigns, from Egypt to Waterloo, vigorous designs that are inspired by ardent patriotic enthusiasm.