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246 - Johann Lorenz RUGENDAS (1775-1826) after Emperor Napoleon I,…
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Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
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Description
Johann Lorenz RUGENDAS (1775-1826) after Emperor Napoleon I, 20 April 1809, at the beginning of the Battle of Abensberg during the 1809 campaign. Large aquatint in colour. Under glass, in a gilded wood frame decorated with palmettes. H.64 x W. 89 cm B.E. (brown spots) Historical background: "I am not here as Emperor of the French, but as protector of your country and of the Germanic Confederation" Napoleon, arriving at the bivouac in front of Abensberg on 20 April, called a meeting of the officers and staff of the allied armies to present his battle plan. The Archduke Charles had crossed the Inn river on 12 April, determined to take advantage of the Spanish situation to avenge the Austerlitz campaign. The surprise of the attack and the dispersion of the allied armies enabled him to achieve his first victories. The arrival of the Emperor was decisive in making the allies work in harmony: within a few days, until the Eckmühl victory, the Austrian army, although outnumbered, was pushed back as far as the Danube. Vienna fell two weeks later. Our engraving shows this historic meeting, with Emperor Napoleon I in the foreground, kneeling on a large map unfolded on the ground, distributing the roles for the forthcoming battles of Abensberg, Landschut and Eckmühl. In the left foreground, the Bavarian artillery is coming out of the Abensberg gate. Behind the staff, regiments of cuirassiers, hussars, infantry and artillery from France, Bavaria and Wurtenberg manoeuvre. In the background, the smoke indicates the start of the attack on the Offenstetten forest by the Bavarian infantry and cavalry of the Rechberg brigade. Biography: Johann Lorenz RUGENDAS (1775-1826): German painter, draughtsman and engraver. He was director of the Augsburg Academy. He was renowned for the precision of his views of battles, the compositions of which were based on sketches taken directly from the scene of events.
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About the sale The Empire at Fontainebleau - Second day
Auction location
Auction time 06/21/2026 at 10:30 AM
Lot description modified on 06/10/2026 at 9:30 AM
Pictures credits:
Michel Bury and Henri du Cray
See original version (French)
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