"1812": Napoleon I in RussiaThe following pages are not offered to the reader as a history of the invasion of Russia by Napoleon. They are but the statement of the basis of observation on which M. Verestchagin has founded his great series of pictures illustrative of the campaign. These pictures are now to be exhibited in this country, and the painter has naturally desired to show us from what point of view he has approached the study of his subject-one of the greatest subjects in the whole range of history-especially for a Russian artist. The point of view is-inevitably in his case-that of the Realist; and this consideration gives unity to the conception of his whole career and endeavour. He has ever painted war as it is, and therefore in its horrors, as one of its effects, though not necessarily as an effect sought in and for itself. He has tried to be "true" in all his representations of the battle-field. His work may thus be said to constitute a powerful plea in support of the Tsar's Rescript to the Nations in favour of peace. My meaning will be best illustrated by a short sketch of M. Verestchagin and his work, as painter, as soldier, and as traveller. |
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abandoned advance-guard aide-de-camp Armée arms artillery artists attack Author baggage battle battle of Borodino began Beresina Berthier Borodino bridge burning camp campaign carriage cavalry Chichagof churches cloth cold command comrades corps Cossacks covered cries cross Crown 8vo Daru Davout dead Demy 8vo dressed Edition EDMUND GOSSE Emperor Alexander enemy escape eye-witness eyes fell Fezensac fire flames France French army gave Grande Armée Guard guns H. A. GUERBER hands head-quarters horses houses Illustrations Imperial impossible inhabitants Kaluga King of Naples Kremlin Kutuzof Labaume Majesty Malo Jaroslavetz Marshal Marshal Mortier Moscow Mozjaisk Murat Napoleon night officers once Palace passed peace Petersburg plunder Portrait position Prince prisoners quarters rear-guard refused regiments remained retreat river road Rostopchin Russian army says Ségur scene seen Ségur sent side Smolensk snow soldiers streets tion took troops turned Verestchagin victory Vilna Vitebsk wagons whole winter wounded wretched
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