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Painting of Swiss soldiers at the frontier

17/10/2012

4 Comments

 
Picture
I have been collecting material about Switzerland and the First World War for some time. I found the painting shown above on a well known internet auction site in 2005. Unfortunately its full history is not known, but there are a few clues.
Edit: Originally I believed that this painting shows a scene during the First World War. Having looked more closely at the uniforms, I think it more likely that it shows a slightly earlier period. It could perhaps depict Swiss troops during the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War, or in the years between that conflict and the First World War. [March 2015]
Picture
The painting shows a small group of Swiss soldiers during the first year or two of the Great War. It appears to be near winter, as there is some snow on the ground. One of their number is shown on guard at far right (detail on left), so they may well be near the frontier. In the bottom right corner is the title "Avant poste, Mariastein". "Avant poste" means "outpost", implying that these men are right on the Swiss frontier. Mariastein seems likely to be the area of Mariastein Abbey, a Benedictine monastery less than one mile from the Swiss-French border.

Picture
Apart from the soldier on guard, the others are relaxing and trying to make the best of their basic circumstances. They have created a small wooden hut, and one is reading a newspaper. Others just look bored!

On the back of the painting is what must be the artist's name: "Aquarelle Bacheliu". The painting has his signature in one corner. I obtained the painting from the USA, and it could be that he or his family had moved there.

 Any comments on the painting would be welcome. Thank you.
4 Comments
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30/6/2014 05:49:46 am

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Andrew Whitmarsh link
5/7/2014 09:28:53 pm

Thanks for your comments - glad you like the site!

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Regula Schmid
30/1/2016 05:58:19 am

You got yourself a painting by Auguste Bachelin (1830-1890). Lucky you!! He was from Neuchâtel, his paintings of military subjects (especially from the war of 1870) are famous. See more here: http://www.sikart.ch/kuenstlerinnen.aspx?id=4000010 and here: http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/d/D16238.php
P.S. I suspect you either read the name "Auguste" as "Aquarelle" or it means that the painting is an "aquarelle / watercolor" by Bachelin.

Reply
Andrew Whitmarsh
30/1/2016 10:44:16 am

Thank you so much for identifying the artist! That is interesting to know. I have had a quick look at some of his images on the internet, and the style certainly seems similar. I'm really pleased to know this.

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    The blog will feature interesting images, objects or information relating to Switzerland and the First World War. If you have something interesting that you think could be featured here, I would be glad to hear from you! Thanks.

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