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A compelling historical painting by French artist François Étienne Hersent (1823-1880). The scene depicts wounded soldiers in a cart pulled by oxen; one is slumped over in despair, his face obscured by his blue cloak, whilst their sabres and hats hang discarded from the side of the cart. Although the exact event depicted is uncertain, it is possible that the scene depicts the Napoleonic army's retreat from Russia in 1812. Bonaparte crossed the River Niemen onto Russian soil with an army of around half a million men, of whom only an estimated 10,000 survived the extreme cold, starvation, and murderous Cossack attacks on their journey home. Perhaps the red-cloaked figure on horseback is a Cossack soldier in pursuit. Signed to the lower right. On canvas on stretchers.
Condition
Signs of wear consistent with age including slight discolouration and craquelure. The canvas has been previously relined, and inspection under UV light reveals areas of overpainting. Wear around the edges of the canvas. Overall, the condition is good for a picture of this age, and the piece presents well.
