Shop art print and framed art Bataille de Montgisard près d'Ascalon by Charles Philippe Larivière

The battle of Montgisard near Ascalon : an emblematic work by Charles-Philippe Larivière

Charles Philippe Larivière (1798-1876) was a French painter specialising in historical subjects. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Girodet-Trioson and became one of the leading exponents of the Romantic movement in France.

Larivière produced a large number of paintings depicting different periods of French and European history, including the Crusades. Among his major works is "The Battle of Montgisard near Ascalon", which depicts one of the most decisive encounters between Christian and Muslim armies during the early period of the Holy Land.

The battle of Montgisard : historical context of the work

The Battle of Montgisard took place in November 1177, during which the forces of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, led by the young King Baldwin IV, clashed with the Ayyubid army led by the notorious Saladin. The Christians' victory at Montgisard was a major event in the history of the Crusades and strengthened their control over the Ascalon region.

Charles-Philippe Larivière became interested in this episode when he was preparing his painting for the 1839 Salon. His work "The Battle of Montgisard near Ascalon" is now part of the public collections of the Château de Versailles.

Visual description of the work

The painting depicts the battle scene and highlights the courage and valour of the young King Baudouin IV, afflicted with leprosy but able to lead his troops with brio. Christian and Muslim cavalrymen and infantrymen are seen fighting ferociously.

Colours and their symbolism

Larivière has used a varied palette of colours to multiply the costume details and give the landscape all the light of the Orient. In the distance, the sky is darkened over the sea by thick grey clouds, caused by fires and fighting. On the Christian side, the armour and weapons reflect a sinister glow, while Saladin's army can be made out on the horizon to the right. Touches of blue, red and gold add richness to the composition while emphasising the rank and worth of the combatants.

The composition of the painting

The painter opted for a dynamic composition, with a foreground in which the soldiers under the banner of Baudoin IV are depicted in a variety of combat postures. The confrontations continue in the background. Finally, in the background of the painting, the town of Ascalon on the Mediterranean coast can be seen.

The role of this work in Charles-Philippe Larivière's artistic career

"The Battle of Montgisard near Ascalon" is an important milestone in Larivière's artistic career. It is a perfect testament to his ability to create impressive historical scenes, combining finesse in the depiction of characters and attention to detail. This work also illustrates his interest in the crusades and religious conflicts that marked the Middle Ages.

Artistic and official recognition

Although the critical reception at the 1839 Salon was mixed, the painting was nevertheless bought by the French state to adorn the Château de Versailles. This confirms the regard in which Larivière was held by the cultural authorities of the time.

The influence on the artist's later works

The success of "The Battle of Montgisard near Ascalon" encouraged Charles-Philippe Larivière to pursue the path of historical paintings. He has thus produced several other works based around the theme of the Crusades and religious conflicts, such as "Battle of Saint-Jean-d'Acre" and "Death of the Prince of Joinville".

This artwork is a painting from the classical period. It belongs to the academism style.

« Bataille de Montgisard près d'Ascalon » is kept at Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, Versailles, France.