Vietnam 1883 Tonkin War Print Death of Henri Riviere at Cau Giay

Description

Vietnam 1883 Tonkin War print depicting the death of Commander Henri Rivière at the Battle of Cầu Giấy, also known as the Battle of Paper Bridge near Hanoi. This antique colour print dates from the late nineteenth century and measures 36 × 28.4 cm.

The printed French heading reads “Les Français au Tonkin. Mort du commandant Rivière.” A substantial French caption beneath the illustration describes the event in the patriotic language of its period. The sheet combines a dramatic military scene with a historical narrative intended for a French readership.

The battle depicted

The subject is the death of Henri Rivière on 19 May 1883 during the Tonkin campaign. The date 1883 refers to the event represented, while the sheet itself is offered as a late nineteenth-century print.

Rivière appears at the centre of the composition, surrounded by armed opponents in tall vegetation. His dark uniform contrasts with the bright yellow, red and blue clothing of the surrounding figures. His raised arm and backward movement form the focal point of the scene.

French soldiers can be seen in the distance at the left. To the right, a group of combatants advances beneath large banners. Spears, blades and gestures create intersecting diagonals across the image, emphasising the confusion and movement of the encounter.

Colour and composition

The illustration uses a vivid palette, with dense green foliage across the foreground and a broad blue sky above. Warm tones near the horizon contrast with the cooler upper sky. The vegetation surrounds the figures and contributes to the enclosed, crowded atmosphere of the central struggle.

The composition is arranged to make the main incident immediately legible. The central officer is isolated visually by his uniform, while the surrounding figures direct their movements towards him. The background troops and standards extend the scene beyond the immediate confrontation.

Details such as the hats, weapons, uniform braid and foliage reward closer inspection. The combination of strong outlines and contrasting colours gives the image a decorative presence as well as historical interest.

Publisher and printer

The lower left margin identifies H. Carchon-Coyen as the publisher in Paris. The lower right carries the printing credit for Van Leer & Cie in Haarlem. These printed details form part of the sheet and provide useful information about its production.

The title appears above the illustration, with the explanatory text below. Together, the image, caption and production credits make this a complete historical illustrated sheet rather than an image alone.

A document of period military imagery

This Vietnam 1883 Tonkin War print is also of interest for the way it presents the conflict. The caption commemorates Rivière and other French officers in explicitly patriotic terms. The dramatic illustration and accompanying text convey the viewpoint of the publication.

For a collector, this combination offers material for studying both the Tonkin campaign and its representation in popular imagery. The scene should be understood as a historical pictorial interpretation of the event, with the emphasis and theatrical arrangement characteristic of the sheet itself.

Condition

The colours remain visually strong. The paper shows age toning, scattered foxing and stains, particularly in the margins. Creases and handling wrinkles are visible around the edges and corners.

The reverse shows surface marks, discolouration and traces of transferred printing ink. Both photographs should be examined carefully to assess the sheet’s condition. These signs of age are part of the description of the individual example offered.

Dimensions and details

Location represented: Cầu Giấy near Hanoi in Tonkin, Vietnam.
Subject: death of Commander Henri Rivière.
Event date: 19 May 1883.
Print period: late nineteenth century.
Publisher: H. Carchon-Coyen in Paris.
Printer: Van Leer & Cie in Haarlem.
Sheet dimensions: 36 × 28.4 cm.
Language of title and caption: French.

This Vietnam 1883 Tonkin War print would suit a collection devoted to Vietnamese history, French colonial imagery, nineteenth-century military subjects or antique colour prints.