"Prise de la Bastille" is a work portraying one of the most emblematic events of the French Revolution: the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. The scene shows the final assault on the fortress, with the imposing towers of the Bastille dominating the centre of the composition. The details are meticulous, with smoke rising from the walls and armed figures advancing on the building, underlining the tension and tumult of the moment. Houël's watercolour is famous for its historical accuracy and its ability to capture the dramatic atmosphere of this crucial event.