Hommage aux tirailleurs

Category

Technique

Date

Dimensions

Dimensions with frame43 cm x 36 cm

Signature

Proof(s) of authenticity

State of conservation

Framing

Location

Description

Hundreds of thousands of men from Africa fought for the French flag during the two World Wars, often on the front lines, far from home. In 1914, 160,000 Africans were mobilized on European soil, with France being the only country to send black soldiers to the front. It wasn't until 2007 that President Nicolas Sarkozy decided to equalize the pensions of the Senegalese tirailleurs with those of French veterans. In 2017, President François Hollande finally granted French nationality to the twenty-eight Senegalese tirailleurs who remained in France.

Nathanael Koffi’s artwork pays tribute to these forgotten men. Created in relief using mixed media techniques, it highlights the face of a tirailleur, symbolizing both the strength and dignity of those erased by history. The piece is signed on the back and comes framed with a Montparnasse frame, offering a respectful and elegant presentation of this powerful tribute.

A poignant artistic testament to the legacy of the Senegalese tirailleurs, this piece invites us to remember and acknowledge their sacrifice.

Provenance

Artist's Studio