Offered by Galerie Gilles Linossier
Charles COZETTE (1713-1797). Court painter, student of Parrocel.
View of the siege of Furnes annotated lower right « vue du siège de Furnes par Cozette »
large ink drawing, gray wash and watercolor on laminated paper (traces of folds and tears).
Dimensions:
at sight and 65 x 93 cm
This drawing was executed during Louis XV's Flanders campaign in 1744. Few of Cozette's drawings survive.
Following the declaration of war by the King of France against Austria on March 15, 1744, the Austrian Netherlands, possession of the Habsburgs and hitherto spared, were forced to enter the fight on April 26, 1744.
The French army under the command of Marshal de Noailles invaded the territory at the end of May 1744 and under the command of Maurice de Saxe won victory after victory until it conquered all the provinces, Guelders and Luxembourg excepted.
Louis XV will appoint Maurice de Saxe general of the light infantry, the highest French military distinction following his numerous successes during this campaign
Concerning our drawing, it represents the siege of Furnes
We know that it was the Prince of Clermont who besieged the city. Furnes raised the white flag on July 11 after 5 days of open trenches. The Prince of Clermont is therefore probably represented in this drawing.
