The French General Kellerman (Duc de Valmy) resisted the invading armies under the Duke of Brunswick at Valmy (between Reims and Verdun) on 20 September 1792. This action was a turning-point in the French revolutionary wars.
This is one of four battle scenes painted by Vernet for the duc d'Orléans (later King Louis-Philippe) depicting French successes in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The other three are 'The Battle of Jemappes', 'The Battle of Montmirail' and 'The Battle of Hanau'. They were damaged in 1848 but restored under the artist's supervision.
