French School XIX °, Cantonment Of Soldiers, Episode Of The War Of 1870, Pen And Ink

French School 19th Century
Episode of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, a cantonment of soldiers during the siege of Paris
Pen and brown ink on paper
15 x 23 cm
Annotated on the lower left "Cantonnement des Ternes à Nanterre, une escouade de la 2eme cie, à l'ami Fouillette, souvenir du siège de Paris. à mon brave ami et courageux" signed illegible

Slightly yellowed by time.
In its original frame (some damages) 31 x 39 cm

As stated in the annotation this drawing depicts a scene taken in a cantonment of Soldiers trying to defend Paris as the Prussian troops were approaching. The different aspects of the everyday day life of the soldiers perfectly drawn by the artist demonstrates how this defense was for a large part improvised. 

The Franco-Prussian war and the defeat in 1871 were huge traumas for the french population and for the artists also.
Edouard Detaille for example was deeply impressed by these events who decided him to dedicate his artistic activity to depict soldiers to give them back their lost pride.

It's difficult to read the signature and so to indentify the author of this drawing, but he had a real talent to give life to the scene and the souvenirs he wanted to evocate. It's a very good hand also.