Napoleon at the Battle of Eylau

The painting by Antoine-Jean Fros shows Napoleon on the battlefield of Eylau in East Prussia on 9 February 1807, the day after his army’s victory over the Prussians. The battle began on 7 February when the baggage platoon arrived at the village of Eylau to prepare for the Emperor’s arrival, unaware of the Russian presence in the region. Thinking that the French would capture the village, the German general von Bennigsen sent reinforcements to Eylau in the same way as Napoleon had done. Fighting raged around the church and cemetery, with the French contingent gaining the final victory at the end of the day. The next morning, the Russian army bombarded the French position en masse, so Napoleon sent the cavalry corps to attack the Russian columns. In the evening, the German general ordered his forces to retreat, declaring victory for the Gauls.

Collection: Images

Project: 5. Power and powers in the history of Europe: oligarchies, political participation and democracy., 6. Under a cloak of terror: violence and armed conflict in Europe.

Chronology: XIX

Scope: Secondary education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: https://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/napoleon-battlefield-eylau?selection=44900

Resource type: Image

Format: Oil on canvas (521 x 784 cm)

Source: Museo del Louvre (París)

Language: English

Date: 1808

Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)