Napoleon en zijn schilders [ 8 ]

Charles Meynier (1763-1832) en Fernand Cormon (1845-1924)
 

Weinig historische figuren zijn zo vaak geschilderd als Napoleon Bonaparte. Niet alleen tijdens zijn bewind maar ook tijdens de Restauratie bleven schilders historische gebeurtenissen vastleggen met Napoleon in het centrum van de aandacht. Tijdens de dictatuur en het Franse keizerrijk (1799-1814) was de ‘fotorealistische’ classicistische stijl de officiële stijl.

Meynier
Charles Meynier 1812
Napoleon op het eiland Lobau na de Slag bij Aspern-Essling op 23 mei 1809
Meynier
detail
The Battle of Aspern-Essling21–22 May 1809
The French lost over 20,000 men including one of Napoleon‘s ablest field commanders and close friend, Marshal Jean Lannes, who died after being mortally wounded by an Austrian cannon ball in an attack on Johann von Klenau’s force at Aspern, which was backed up by 60 well-placed guns. The Austrians had also suffered similar casualties but had secured the first major victory against the French for over a decade. The victory demonstrated the progress the Austrian army had made since the string of catastrophic defeats in 1800 and 1805. The French forces were withdrawn to the island. On the night of the 22nd the last bridge was repaired, and the army awaited the arrival of reinforcements in Lobau. The Austrians failed to capitalise on the situation allowing the French to regroup. One month later, the French made a second attempt to cross the Danube where Napoleon gained a decisive victory over the Austrians at the Battle of Wagram.
 
Bron: en.wikipedia.org
Fernand Cormon
Fernand Cormon
Slag bij Aspern-Essling

Key Painting First Empire [ napoleon.org ] | histoire-image.org
Charles Meynier tentoonstelling [ 2008 ]