On may 2, 1808, to quell the revolt of the people of madrid, marshal murat, governor of madrid, sent the cavalry to the city to restore order. The mounted hunters of general daumesnil's imperial guard took part in the repression. Here we see the fight between hunters and insurgents in the street of alcala, scene of violent clashes between the cavalry of the guard (and in particular the mamluks) and the madrilenians. In this painting the characteristics of urban warfare are present: in contrast to the large curved sabers of the hunters, the spaniards (including women) fight with archaic knives and rifles. While the populace fights on foot, the french, slashing without qualms, are perched on large horses, in their gleaming gold uniforms (we find these same characteristics in dos de mayo by goya). The presence of the monk shows the prominent role that religion played in the propagation of anti-french sentiment. After forcing the passage, murat's horsemen will arrive at puerta del sol where they will disperse the demonstrators. Date: before 1916.
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