Summary
French souvenir postcard titled 'Les Cuirassiers'. It depicts part of the massive panoramic painting 'Pantheon de la Guerre', coordinated by Pierre Carrier-Belleuse and Auguste François-Marie Gorguet (named on the postcard) and painted by more than 100 French artists during World War I. It was started soon after war broke out, and was completed just before the Armistice. All of the Allies were eventually depicted, including around 6,000 individuals. The painting remains amongst the largest in the world. The section of Pantheon de la Guerre shown on the postcard is the French armed cavalry, who wore their traditional uniform in the early stages of World War I.
After the war the Pantheon de la Guerre was shipped to the United States, neglected and eventually badly damaged. Its remains are now shown in Kansas, at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
Description of Content
FRENCH SOUVENIER POSTCARD 'PANTHEON DE LA GUERRE' FIRST WORLD WAR 'LES CUIRASSIERS'
Physical Description
Black and white postcard, featuring painted image of rows of uniformed men on horses. Inscription below. Blank postcard form on back.
More Information
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Collection Names
Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection, Military Memorabilia Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation & Subsequent Transfer from E. J. Thompson, circa 1982
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Place & Date Made
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Format
Postcard
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Inscriptions
Printed: 'LES CUIRASSIERS / P. Carrier-Belleuse - PANTHEON DE LA GUERRE - A.'F. Gorguet / 1918 - Copyright by the "Pantheon de la Guerre'. Printed on back: 'CARTE POSTALE / CORRESPONDANCE / ADDRESSE / IMP LE DELEY, PARIS / Edit Art H. Manuel. Paris'.
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Type of item
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