XIX0010 – The charge of Pastrengo

The Charge of Pastrengo, 30 April 1848

Three squadrons of mounted Carabinieri charged the Austrian positions on the heights of Pastrengo, north of Verona, at a moment when King Charles Albert had ridden dangerously far forward. The action became the founding episode of the Carabinieri corps, which still marks 30 April as its commemorative day.

The Context

This was the opening phase of the First War of Italian Independence. The Piedmontese army had crossed the Mincio and was moving on Verona, the pivot of the Austrian Quadrilateral fortress system. Pastrengo was a strongpoint on the enemy’s left, and taking it was meant to open the way to encircling the fortress.

The Charge

During the action the king pushed forward with his staff until he was under fire from Austrian infantry. The three squadrons of the royal escort charged without waiting for orders, overrunning the forward enemy positions and clearing the threat. The attack succeeded and Pastrengo was taken, but the success was not exploited: within weeks the initiative passed to Radetzky, who would win at Custoza in July.

Giuseppe Rava’s Original Work

Giuseppe Rava reconstructs the Carabinieri of 1848 from the regulations of the period: the dark blue uniform with pale trousers, the white crossbelt, the bicorne known as the lucerna, and the cavalry sabre. The setting follows the topography of the Pastrengo heights and the archival accounts of the action.

This is a limited edition fine art print, hand-signed by the artist, produced in SRA3 format on fine art paper. Ships worldwide.