Artist(s):

after Gautherot, Pierre (1769-1825)

del. Martinet

sc. Réville, Jean-Baptiste (1767-1825)

Composed Title English:

1805, The Emperor harangues the troops in Augsburg.

Inscribed Title:

1805. L'Empereur harangue les troupes à Augsbourg.

Inscription:

FRANCE MILITAIRE // Martinet del. // Réville sculp. // T. 3

Description:

Napoleon on his white horse, Bessières and Roustam behind him, rallies his troops outside the village of Augsburg. The French army had only days before been given the name of "La Grande Armée." Napoleon had led them across the Danube, the taking of Ulm was soon to follow. In this print after Gautherot's painting, we see Napoleon passing between two columns of soldiers that part to make way; he salutes one side with his arm outstretched and looks at the other. This gesture of oath-taking was revived during the Revolution, refering back to Roman antiquity. It became very popular with Napoleon, who had used it days after the Coronation in the Distribution des Aigles. The grenadiers enthusiastically express their love for and attachment to their emperor. Under the Empire, the oath was no longer to an ideal (e.g. the Revolution, or the Nation), but to an individiual, specifically to a military leader by the army : we never see an oath by the people to the leader of the nation. This perhaps shows the true nature of Napoleon's rule.

Original Work:

Napoléon I harangue le deuxième corps de la Grande Armée sur le pont de Lech, à Augsbourg, 12 octobre 1805.

by

Gautherot, Pierre (1769-1825)

1808 Salon

. Oil on canvas; h: 385 x l: 620 cm; Musée national des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

Subject Heading(s):