G. Verdey, Life of the French Cavalry, 1914, Watercolour, Framed

Large Watercolor depicts the daily life of French soldiers belonging to the cavalry. This scene can be dated thanks to the clothes worn by the men in this work. Indeed, the bright blue and red uniforms were soon abandoned (autumn 1914), in favour of more sober and more easily concealable colours.
This work highlights the use of animals during this world conflict. Indeed, horses played an important role at the beginning of the conflict. But this role is often forgotten. Horses were sent to the front during this conflict. In the summer of 1914, the French cavalry took part in the offensives, but it was very weak in the face of the firearms used massively during this conflict. The cavalry had more reconnaissance and patrol missions. But its role became less and less important, as from the autumn of 1914, it became difficult to advance and the men began to dig trenches.
Here, the scene depicts the daily life of this French cavalry during the First World War. They are probably officers sent on patrol in the French forests. They are about to leave their camp set up for the night. One officer is seen washing, another dressing. Another is already mounted on his horse. In the background in more neutral colours other officers are going about their business.

Frame dimensions :
H : 30, 2 Inch
W : 24, 2 Inch.