Monday, July 8, 2013

Marshal Ney (1808)

Charles Meynier: Marshal Ney gives back to the soldiers of the 76th line Regiment 
their standards recovered at the Inspruck arsenal, 7 November 1805

Marshal Michel Ney was a prominent military commander during the Napoleonic wars. Napoleon himself dubbed him the "Bravest of the Brave" for his prowess in battle. He was commander of the III Corps during the invasion of Russia and commanded the rearguard during the Retreat from Moscow. After Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo (where Ney had five horses shot out from under him), he was arrested and tried by the Chamber of Peers, and subsequently executed for "treason".

About the incident depicted in this painting, I can find no information.

Below is a portrait of Ney done by François Gérard in 1805.

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