Thick into the Napoleonic Wars, c.1807, this young officer would have found himself in conflict from one end of the Empire's reach to the other. The year opens to Russians evacuating Poland, Berlin blocking all ports of France and French colonies, the end of "winter quarters", and Napoleon leaving Warsaw, after just meeting Maria Waleska for the first time. All Europe was engaged in fighting off the acquisitionary assault of Napoleon's armies. A real time of turmoil and redrawing boundaries. By September, Copenhagen is bombarded and taken by the English. And by November, the French enter Lisbon. Somewhere in all of that, this young officer led troops. We don't know his name or his fate. But we do know he was in the action. I'm not a military expert and I do not know his uniform rank. If you do, email me and I'll add to our listing. I love that he has a modified "Titus" or 'guillotine' haircut, and a fresh young face. So much personality in that tiny painting, wafer is just 1.75" x 1.5" oval and outer frame is 2.25" x 2" oval. These are fabulous for Bru and other French doll houses, displays, too, remember.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. There are no losses nor damage to the original c.1807 painting or wafer upon which it is painted in the typical gouache, a water-based paint. Original slightly convex cover glass and frame are each there and fully intact. The backing is attached to the little painting and I didn't wish to peel it from its place to click a backside view of the painting. There is some notation, perhaps his name, in pencil along with the date, but I am unable to decipher it with any confidence. Perhaps you can. RARE wonderful image, military officer. Unsigned, but dated and notation on back.
