Russia and France in the era of Napoleon through the eyes of artists

Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805. Artist Auguste Maye (1805 - 1890). State Museum of the Navy in Paris. The painting, written in 1836, depicts the French Busantor with cut down masts, which was captured by an English ship. This decisive naval battle near Cadix in southern Spain puts an end to Franco-English discord at sea. There will no longer be the great French squadrons plowing the oceans of the globe. A century and a half of naval effort since the reign of Louis XIV was destroyed, and the French project to land on shore was completely destroyed. Admiral Nelson dies, but saves Britain from the invasion and gives her world superiority.

Charles Meignier (1763 - 1832). Napoleon’s entry into Berlin on October 27, 1806. After Jena, Prussia was crushed, Napoleon enters Berlin on October 27, 1806 through the Brandenburg Gate. On November 21, the decree intensifies repression against British merchants and establishes a land blockade, "in order to defeat supremacy at sea by dominance on earth."

The Russian army is retreating to Poland, where the Emperor is preparing to pursue it all the next year.

(Fragment)

Napoleon, 1807 Sketch by artist A.L. Girode (1767 - 1824) at the museum in Versailles. Napoleon was 38 years old during his “first trip to Poland” in 1807. Being the winner of Austria and Prussia, he comes to oust the Russians from the Neman to Bagrationovsk in February and especially to Friedland in June. He is the master of Europe… Did he manage to “defeat the sea by domination on earth”? The face of the Emperor seems pensive and without illusions in this picture. Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul and then Emperor of France, always sought an alliance with Russia to defeat England. The hope that he consistently supported first with Emperor Paul the First, and then with Alexander the First was in vain! He boldly opposed the Russian army and forced it four times in Austerlitz in December 1805, in Bagrationovsk in February 1807, in June of that year in Friedland and, finally, in September 1812 near Borodino. But fifty battles won would never bring him diplomatic peace. In June 1812, passing through the Neman, he would consider taking only a “second trip to Poland,” but he would allow himself to go to Moscow, not wanting it himself, being 800 miles from Paris. A trip to Russia will seal his fate with the fate of his Great Army.

After the battle of Borodino, Military Council at Fili. Artist Alexei Danilovich Kivshenko (1880). Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. “The salvation of Russia in its army. Is it necessary to agree to the battle and endanger it, lose the army and Moscow or surrender Moscow without a fight? ”In the end, Kutuzov orders a retreat and allows the French to enter Moscow on September 14, 1812.

Fire in Moscow. Artist A.F. Smirnov. By order of Count Fyodor Vasilyevich Rostopchin, Moscow was put on fire. But within a month, Napoleon waits in the Kremlin for a peace proposal from the Tsar. In vain! Autumn is coming. The king does not want to answer any letter of Napoleon. When Napoleon orders a retreat on October 18, it’s too late… The trap is closing again!

The episode of the terrible winter of 1812. Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov (1840 - 1894). Russian peasants and captured French soldiers. The great army disappears in the snow and icy wind of Russia.

Winter 1814, a trip to France. Artist Jean-Louis-Ernest Mesonier (1815 - 1891). The emperor, dressed in his gray frock coat, walks quietly at the head of Marshals Ney and Berthier in the snow and mud under a leaden sky, which brings heaviness to the disturbing atmosphere. Other European Allied armies crossed the Rhine and head to Paris. Despite several high-profile tactical successes against the Russian, Prussian and Austrian armies, nothing can change fate!

All listed paintings by numbers You can also find it on the Home Art Shop website and order them to print on canvas for yourself.

Vyacheslav Smirnov