Francois, Georgin (1801-1863, France) and Pellerin (19th C., France), "Les Derniers Moments du Marechal Duroc", or "The Last Moments of Marshal Duroc", copperplate engraving

sight: 15.5 x 22.5", frame: 24 x 30.5"

Provenance: A San Antonio, Texas collection

On May 20, 1813, despite the victories over the Prussian-Russian armies, which take place at the beginning of the month, the Grand Army finds itself unable to keep up with the troops commanded by the generalfeldmarschall Wittgenstein to destroy them definitively. On May 21 and 22, the battles of Bautzen and Reichenbach followed one another. Both resulted in a French victory, which nevertheless left a bitter taste in Bonaparte's mouth. He had seen his dear friend Christophe Michel Duroc perish, then Grand Marshal of the Palace and nicknamed Napoleon's Shadow. Wounded by a cannonball, which took down Generals Bruyere and Kirgener, a few yards from the Emperor, Duroc died from his wounds that evening. It is a heavy loss for Napoleon who sees the death of not only a loyal friend but also a very good asset. (excerpt from the Musee Bertrand, Chteauroux, France).

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