RUSSIAN SCHOOL
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RUSSIAN SCHOOL

Prince Peter Bagration (1765-1812), in uniform with gold-embroidered red collar, epaulettes and aiguillettes and black stock, wearing numerous orders including the breast-stars of the Imperial Russian Orders of St. George and St. Vladimir; unfinished

Details
RUSSIAN SCHOOL
Prince Peter Bagration (1765-1812), in uniform with gold-embroidered red collar, epaulettes and aiguillettes and black stock, wearing numerous orders including the breast-stars of the Imperial Russian Orders of St. George and St. Vladimir; unfinished
oval, 3¼ in. (83 mm.) high, gilt-metal mount
Provenance
David David-Weill (1871-1952), Neuilly-sur-Seine, no. 728.
Sold by Wildenstein's, Paris, to Sir Charles Clore (1905-1979), London.
The Clore Collection of Portrait Miniatures, part I, sold Sotheby's, London, 17 March 1986, lot 117.
Literature
L. Gillet/C. Jeannerat/H. Clouzot, Miniatures and Enamels from the D. David-Weill Collection, Paris, 1957, p. 182, no. 108, illustrated p. 183.
Exhibited
London, Garrard's, An exhibition of important 18th century and early 19th century miniatures and enamels, 1961, no. 108.
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

Prince Peter Bagration, a member of the famous family from Georgia, was an experienced senior officer by the time the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars had broken out, having learnt his trade fighting against the Turks and Poles. Joining General Suvarov for the campaigns against Revolutionary France in Italy and Switzerland, he later fought at Hollabrunn where his determined rearguard action saved General Mikhail Kutusov's army, and at Austerlitz, Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland. In 1809, Bagration was again sent to fight the Turks, returning in time to face the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Irritated by the Russian policy of ceding land for time, Bagration admitted he 'trembled with shame' about retreating. Nonetheless, he successfully led the Second West Army into the Russian interior despite poor relations with the other commander Mikhail Barclay de Tolly. At Borodino, Bagration commanded the Russian left wing and fought bravely until wounded in the leg. The injury from the musketball became infected and he died on 24 September 1812. Russia mourned the loss of an honourable soldier who gave his army plenty of fire and fierceness.

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