Combat between two mounted knights

The subject is taken from the Battle of Tours (aka Battle of Poitiers), fought on October 10, 732 between forces under the Frankish leader Charles Martel and a massive invading Islamic army led by Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi Abd al Rahman. The Franks were victorious and Emir Abd er Rahman was killed. The importance of the battle is debated but in the 19th century it was firmly seen as decisive in halting the northward advance of Islam from Spain, and preserving Christianity as the controlling faith in Europe. The final combat between the leaders had great appeal for Gechter with his tendency for a Romantic depiction of historical events.

Trained in the conventions of Neoclassical sculpture, Théodore Gechter later rejected 'ideal' subjects in this style for bronze groups illustrating medieval and particularly chivalrous themes in a dramatic and romantic manner. During this period interest in such subjects was reflected in the collecting of medieval sculpture in France. He also produced bronzes of animals during the 1830s. Gechter exhibited in Paris 1824-40 and collaborated in the execution of friezes for the Arc de Triomphe, the major public sculpture project of the decade, sculpting a large-scale relief of the Battle of Austerlitz (for which he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur).