I noticed that this poster by André Juillard is quite popular around the internet. After a little digging, I found that it's not just a one-off piece, but corresponds directly to tome 2 of the Arno adventures, scripted by Jacques Martin and illustrated by Juillard. Following the example of the Sphinx piece above, I decided to search for more of the architectural panels from the book.
Yes, that's actually Emperor Napoleon along for the ride!
In 1984, Martin created the historical series - "Arno." Through its central character, the Venetian musician Arno Firenze, the series chronicles events occurring between the French Revolution and the end of the Napoleonic Empire. Arno gets involved with the revolutionary movement in Paris of 1789 and is eventually recruited in Napoleon Bonaparte's army. Martin once again strove for historical accuracy and tried to depict the Corsican emperor in a balanced way. Napoleon is portrayed as a brilliant politician and military strategist, but at the same time a formidable tyrant. --Lambiek
Martin was a French comic creator who worked alongside colleagues Hergé, E.P. Jacobs and Paul Cuvelier as part of the original team of Tintin magazine artists. He's best known for creating the young Ancient Roman Alix (1948- ) and the contemporary journalist Lefranc (1952- ), whose adventures are continued to this day. Over a career of six decades, Martin became one of the most influential creators of historical comics. Besides the Roman age, Martin set his stories in ancient Greece (Orion, 1990-2011), ancient Egypt (Kéos, 1991-1999), the Napoleonic era (Arno, 1984-1997) and the reign of Louis XIV (Loïs, 2003- ).
Artist André Juillard is one of the most productive and influential artists of historical comics in France. Born in Paris, Juillard attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, taking courses in comics from Jean-Claude Mézières and Jean Giraud. He began his professional career as an illustrator for the children's magazine Formule 1 in 1974.
In short, he's illustrated a landslide of series, which can be checked on Bedetheque.
As for this particular album, there's a summary on the back cover. Google and I translate it thusly:
1798 : the French Revolution is exported to the Orient. Napoleon leads a French expedition to discover what he may in the shadow of the ancient pyramids, in these hostile lands. Harassed by the Mamelukes, pursued by Admiral Nelson's fleet, Bonaparte is the plaything of all perils. However, another threat hangs over him - “Red Spade”. What is the mysterious plot against the young general which Arno Firenze, his companion from Italy, is trying to thwart? And who is the enigmatic Bedouin who follows in their footsteps? Friend or enemy, warrior or infidel..?
