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Lot Essay
Napoleon's Russian Campaign of 1812 is often referred to as the beginning of the end of his mighty empire. Although technically a victory, the campaign was a seriously troubled one and the Emperor suffered major losses. In 1811, Tsar Alexander I broke Napoleon's enforced continental blockade of British goods. Negotiations were entered into, quickly failed and on June 24, 1812, against the advice of his closest advisors, Napoleon invaded Russia. Never had so large and diverse an army been assembled - Italians, Poles, Germans, French - totaling more the 600,000 men from every corner of the Empire. Napoleon prophesized that the war would be over in twenty days, but it lasted nearly six months and cost nearly half his army.
The Tsar's army withdrew slowly across Russia's vast open spaces and as they moved inland, they burned everything, insuring there was nothing of use to the French. The Cossacks, who protected the Southern borders of Russia, constantly harassed Napoleon's army, and inflicted considerable losses. The scorching heat, freezing winters and the Cossacks would wear out one of the most powerful armies the world had ever seen.
The present painting was painted the same year that Napoleon returned from exile in Elba. It should be regarded as a celebratory painting, most likely painted for a Napoleonic audience in order to remind them of the last great victory of their Empire. The French general depicted in the far right wears the uniform of the Réglement de vendémiaire and the central figure is a lancer of the Polish Imperial Guards. The figure approaching them from the left mounted on a white horse is a Cossack soldier. Such skirmishes happened frequently and tired Napoleon's army down, causing significant losses during their march towards Moscow.
Carle Vernet, a painter of historical and military pictures, came from an influential and successful artistic family. His father was the celebrated painter Joseph Vernet, his son was the artist Horace Vernet and his granddaughter was married to the artist Paul Delaroche. Carle Vernet received his initial training in Rome, then joined the studio of Jacques-Louis David. Because he was well-connected in artistic circles, Vernet also secured the patronage of the Directiore and Consulat in the years following the Revolution, followed by that of Napoleon, the Duc D'Orleans and the Duc de Chartres. Amongst his most celebrated works are several battles scenes, such as the present painting, now at Versaillles, including Battle of Marengo and Napoleon at Austerlitz.
The Tsar's army withdrew slowly across Russia's vast open spaces and as they moved inland, they burned everything, insuring there was nothing of use to the French. The Cossacks, who protected the Southern borders of Russia, constantly harassed Napoleon's army, and inflicted considerable losses. The scorching heat, freezing winters and the Cossacks would wear out one of the most powerful armies the world had ever seen.
The present painting was painted the same year that Napoleon returned from exile in Elba. It should be regarded as a celebratory painting, most likely painted for a Napoleonic audience in order to remind them of the last great victory of their Empire. The French general depicted in the far right wears the uniform of the Réglement de vendémiaire and the central figure is a lancer of the Polish Imperial Guards. The figure approaching them from the left mounted on a white horse is a Cossack soldier. Such skirmishes happened frequently and tired Napoleon's army down, causing significant losses during their march towards Moscow.
Carle Vernet, a painter of historical and military pictures, came from an influential and successful artistic family. His father was the celebrated painter Joseph Vernet, his son was the artist Horace Vernet and his granddaughter was married to the artist Paul Delaroche. Carle Vernet received his initial training in Rome, then joined the studio of Jacques-Louis David. Because he was well-connected in artistic circles, Vernet also secured the patronage of the Directiore and Consulat in the years following the Revolution, followed by that of Napoleon, the Duc D'Orleans and the Duc de Chartres. Amongst his most celebrated works are several battles scenes, such as the present painting, now at Versaillles, including Battle of Marengo and Napoleon at Austerlitz.