"Battle of Waterloo - Bataille de Waterloo"
Striking and extremely rare hand-coloured panoramic aquatint engraving; drawn by William Heath, engraved by Matthew Dubourg.
"London, Published & Sold Jan-y 18, 1818, by Edw-d Orme, Bond Street, corner of Brook Street"
The panoramic aquatint engraving by W. Heath and M. Dubourg is a finely detailed view of the Battle of Waterloo, the decisive clash that ended Napoleon's rule and reshaped Europe. The composition unfolds from left to right, showing French cavalry and infantry attacks against the Allied army commanded by the Duke of Wellington. In the foreground, cavalry charges sweep across the battlefield while infantry exchange musket volleys through dense clouds of gunpowder smoke. Artillery batteries fire into advancing formations as officers direct troops amid the chaos. The fortified farm of Hougoumont appears in the middle distance, one of the key defensive positions of the battle. Its defence was crucial to Wellington's victory and tied down thousands of French troops throughout the day. Further away, toward the centre of the battlefield, stands La Haye Sainte, one of the most fiercely contested positions of the campaign. At the far right, beneath the famous Wellington Tree, the Duke of Wellington is shown mounted and observing the action. The panorama captures the scale, drama, and movement of Napoleonic warfare, combining infantry, cavalry, artillery, and battlefield landmarks in a single sweeping scene.
The Battle of Waterloo (18th June 1815) was fought near Waterloo in Belgium, between Anglo-allied and Prussian armies of the Seventh Coalition, and French army under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Waterloo battle ended with decisive victory by the coalition army, effectively ending the Napoleonic Wars. Prior to the battle, Napoleon has famously remarked to his generals that "...Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad troops, and this affair is nothing more than eating breakfast". Instead the Waterloo turned out to be his last battle. The action started in the late morning with the French attacking Hougoumont farm. In afternoon, the allied army under Wellington withstood repeated attacks by the French, later aided by Prussians who attacked the French flank. In the evening Napoleon has sent in his last reserves of the French Imperial Guard, who again were repulsed by the Anglo-allied army. The French then faltered and soon started a disorganised retreat and were routed. In four days Napoleon abdicated and coalition forces entered Paris on 7th July.
This poster is a high quality "giclée" reproduction of a restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints). This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.
This high-resolution, museum-grade fine art print is produced from a unique restored image. Printed on premium archival-quality art paper or canvas, it makes a striking addition to any interior as wall décor or a poster, and a memorable gift for lovers of antique and vintage maps, collectors of historic prints, historians, and explorers. Almost indistinguishable from the original Georgian engraving, it adds character and interest to a study, library, or office wall. It also makes a thoughtful gift for all occasions, including Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Father's or Mother's Day.
