Auguste Desarnod (the elder) (1788—1840) — French painter, engraver and lithographer. Pupil of A. J. Gros. In 1812, while in Napoleon’s army, he was wounded, captured and remained in Russia. Specialized in battle scenes and portraits. In 1827 became a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts.
The Battle of Borodino took place on August 24, 1812, just 110 kilometers from Moscow. One hundred twenty thousand Russians and 135 thousand French soldiers participated in it. One of the episodes of that battle is depicted in this painting by Desarnod.
By the order of M. I. Kutuzov, Cossack regiments unexpectedly gained the rear of the French troops, turning round the left flank, and fiercely attacked the French infantry. This turned Napoleon’s forces from the main line of advance on the field of Borodino. This operation was headed by general F. P. Uvarov who commanded the Cavalry Corps of the First Western Army; Lieutenant-General V. V. Orlov-Denisov with his Life Guards Cossack Regiment; and A. S. Chalikov, in command of the Uhlans. They are shown in the foreground in the left-hand side of the painting. On the right-hand side, the Russian cavalry is fighting the French infantry. Napoleon’s headquarters are on the right in the background, and to the left there is the gunsmoke over the positions of the Russian troops. A.P. |
