Thursday, October 13, 2016

The only surviving images of veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, now in HD Color

 

A very cool thing about this project is how it was completed before I thought it would be, and that it’s all due to the sharp instinct of our favorite colorizing guy and artist Matt Loughrey from My Colorful Past.



When I thought how awesome it would be to see the only surviving photos of the brave Veterans who fought in Napoleonic War with a  bit “technicolor flair,”  I contacted him to add some of his fairy dust that makes  history more fun, he had already done it.

That’s how good he is. Just like me, Matt Loughrey thought it would be awesome to transform the only surviving photos of the Grande Armee veterans dressed in their elaborate uniforms ,adorned with medals of honor in bright, vivid color.


Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815

Colorized by Matt Loughrey

Monsieur Ducel Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815




In his military career, Napoleon fought about 60 battles and lost seven, mostly at the end of his reign.The great French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon was defeated in 1814, and sent into exile on the island of Elba; he then escaped and returned to power, only to be defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, and was exiled again, this time to Saint Helena. After his death in 1821, the surviving veterans of  Grande Armée honored his name and historic leadership. Every year on May 5, the day Napoleon died, veterans dressed in the uniforms to pay respect to the fallen emperor marched to Paris’ Place Vendôme.On one of those occasions, probably in 1858, the following photos were taken.

Monsieur Dupont, Fourier for the 1st Hussa


Monsieur Moret of the 2nd Regiment 1814/15



Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars


Sergeant Taria Grenadiere de la Garde 1809-1815



“Colorization has fast become a means to which I can balance art with history. Color brings out detail that hides in monochrome imagery, more is revealed to the observer.. For a few hours I am the only person in the world that can see these people as they were, it’s humbling and educational” explains Matt for the project.

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