Alphonse de NEUVILLE (1835-1885)

"Attack of Infantrymen in a Church, War of 1870" Large oil on canvas, signed and dated "1881" at lower left. 142 x 96 cm. Bears the exhibition number 3688 on the frame. A.B.E. (small scratches). Attached is the lithograph of our painting with dedications from the author. 80 x 56 cm. Provenance : Sale Maitre Blache, 28/11/1965, lot 71, reproduced plate XI. Biography: Alphonse Deneuville or de Neuville (1836-1885), student of Eugène Delacroix, he is with Edouard Detaille, the most illustrious French military painter of the late nineteenth century. Among the subjects he painted, we find the Franco-Prussian war, the Crimean war, the Anglo-Zulu war and portraits of soldiers. Some of his works can be found in the Hermitage Museum and the Metropolitan Museum. His most famous work is the Last Cartouches celebrating the heroism of the marine troops at Bazeilles. Neuville's philosophy and work are summarized by his words: "I wish to recount our defeats in what they were honorable for us, and I believe that this will give a testimony of esteem to our soldiers and their leaders, an encouragement for the future. Whatever one may say, we were not defeated without glory, and I believe it is good to show it!" History: De Neuville painted many church interiors as evidenced by some of the works that appeared in the sale of his studio in 1886. We find here the taste of the painter for this opposition of two contradictory worlds, that of peace and love of men, that of men with their struggles.