Jerzy Kossak, BURNING THE BANDARDS BEFORE NAPOLEON, 1935

70.0 x 99.5cm - oil, cardboard signed l.d.: Jerzy Kossak | 1935



Compare:

- Kazimierz Olszański, Jerzy Kossak, Wydawnictwo Ossolineum 1992, repr. 58.



One of the most momentous events of the Napoleonic campaign was the Battle of Berezina, which took place on the Berezina-Dneprov River near Borisov, from November 26 to 29, 1812. Thanks to the brilliant maneuver of the French commander, the Grand Army, which was in retreat from under Moscow, exhausted and weakened, did not succumb to the smashing of the outnumbered Russian army.

The legendary battle was commemorated by Wojciech Kossak and Julian Fałat in the panorama Berezina (1894-1896). The scene that made a unique impression on the audience was the Burning of the Banners. The burning of the symbols of the lost regiments - the lobes and, above all, the eagles crowning the spars - signs of special importance to the French - was an extremely difficult event for the Emperor.

Both Wojciech and Jerzy Kossak repeatedly painted scenes from the Napoleonic legend, including compositions of the Berezina panorama. The burning of the banners, however, is among the subjects that appear less frequently than other episodes in commercially available paintings. This rather sizable composition, superbly displaying Jerzy's painting talent, is undoubtedly one of the works that are a rarity for collectors who appreciate Kossak paintings.



♣ A fee will be added to the auctioned price in addition to other costs, resulting from the right of the artist and his heirs to receive remuneration in accordance with the Act of February 4, 1994 - on Copyright and Related Rights (droit de suite).

Jerzy Kossak (Krakow 1886 - Krakow 1955)- son of Wojciech, grandson of Juliusz Kossak- from early childhood painted under the direction of his father and grandfather. A continuator and imitator of their art, he created battle, historical and genre scenes with the omnipresent motif of the horse. He painted pictures of the November Uprising, the Napoleonic Wars and many scenes from the 1920 war. His best-known composition of this kind was Miracle on the Vistula. He also painted numerous Chases and Lancer Chases with Cossacks, Wolf Raids, Hunting and Weddings. The subject matter of these works makes them constantly popular with collectors and the public, always thronging to exhibitions of Kossak paintings.