Fontenoy 1745

This detail from a painting by Pierre L’Enfant depicts a panorama of the battle of Fontenoy from the viewpoint of the French high command. The figure in the foreground in a red coat is King Louis XV with the Dauphin behind him. In the background the British infantry are in retreat from the French artillery and musket fire. There is no sign of the French defensive fortifications or redoubts. They are shown as formed up as on parade, forming a three sided square. The French were commanded by Marshal Saxe who was unwell and had to be carried on a wicker chair.