An artwork on Galleree from Rijksmuseum.
About the artwork
The Battle of Waterloo, Jan Willem Pieneman, 1824h 567cm × w 823cm × l 822.7cm
Jan Willem Pieneman
oil on canvas
In the quiet stillness of a moment etched in history, the air hangs thick with anticipation, like a tightly drawn bowstring ready to release its arrow. It is 1815. The sun slants low over the battlefield of Waterloo, casting long shadows across the torn and rugged landscape, where echoes of clashing steel and cries of valor meld into a symphony of tumult.
In the heart of this tumultuous scene, we find Emperor Napoleon, a figure whose ambition once loomed large over Europe, now teetering on the precipice of a monumental defeat. The canvas sprawls before us, the largest painting at the Rijksmuseum, capturing the very instant when hope flickered back to life for the many who had endured the ravages of war for two long decades.
British General Wellington stands resolute, clad in the battle-worn garb of a leader. His sharp gaze cuts through the haze of battle as he receives word of an approaching salvation—the Prussian army, a force reborn to aid in the fight against tyranny. It is a pivotal turn of fate, a moment when the scales of destiny begin to tip, whispering promises of victory and peace to a weary world.
Nearby lies the valiant Dutch crown prince, the future Willem II, his power and bravery evident even in this moment of suffering. A wooden stretcher cradles his wounded form, a testament to his gallantry on the field. Known as the Hero of Waterloo, his spirit remains unbroken, embodying the courage that stirs within the hearts of those who fight for a noble cause.
With every brushstroke, the artist immortalizes not just a battle, but the very essence of human resilience—the intertwining of hope and despair, the rise of light in the face of darkness. In this narrative of triumph and agony, we are invited to reflect on the stories that create us, the moments that shape our destiny, as the tide turns and the world holds its breath, waiting for peace to unfurl its gentle wings.
About the artist
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands. We tell the story of 800 years of Dutch history, from 1200 to now. We showcase over 8,000 works of art, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. In addition, we organize several exhibitions per year from our own collection and with (inter) national loans. In the Rijksmuseum you get to know the greatest works of art down to the smallest details.The artwork posted on this site is through the museum's public domain/CC0 data and does not imply endorsement.
Address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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