Polish, 1886-1955
Napoleon's Vision, 1935
Signed Jerzy Kossak and dated 1935 (ll); signed, inscribed indistinctly, and bearing the artist's atelier stamp on the reverse
Oil on fine canvas laid to particle board
21 1/4 x 30 1/4 inches (54 x 77 cm)
The retreat of Napoleon from Moscow is one of the most striking subjects in Jerzy Kossak's art. He began painting works dedicated to the events of Napoleon's life around 1910 and continued in this vein for several decades, culminating in a series of remarkable images created during the 1920s and 1930s. The painting offered here shows Napoleon's retreat at the head of his army from his expedition to Russia in 1812, where the French were utterly defeated by the Russian winter. Here the Emperor is shown remembering his victory in Egypt at the Battle of the Pyramids in 1798, with a vision of the head of the Sphinx at Giza. Thus reminded of that great triumph, he makes his way westward in the blizzard, followed by the exhausted French army. Other versions of this composition are preserved in private collections and in the National Museums in Krakow and Warsaw.

Generally in very good condition. A few scattered touches of restoration. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available. Request a condition report