material: oil on canvas
dimensions: 59,5 x 114,5 cm
description: A major battle in Napoleon’s Russian campaign, though not decisive, took place on September 7, 1812 at Mozhaisk and Borodino. The Grand Army included the V Polish Corps led by Prince Józef Poniatowski and numerous Polish regiments incorporated into French divisions. One of them was the 14th Cuirassier Regiment under Stanisław Małachowski, which was part of the 7th Heavy Cavalry Division led by General Jan Lorge. This regiment – the only Polish heavy cavalry regiment at that time – revived the tradition of the old Hussars in the eyes of the Polish people. In the battle of Borodino, it took part in the attacks on the Russian artillery positions, distinguishing itself especially in the charge into the so-called Great Redoubt. The artist painted the attack of the cuirassiers at the moment of their encounter with the enemy and the hand-to-hand combat. The depiction of the battle from a close perspective, rendered in completely dark, monochrome tones relieved only by the gleams of sabres, cuirasses and helmets, a white horse on its hind legs, a cloud of goldenly illuminated dust as well as the marks of quick and confident brushwork and bold impastos, adding dynamism to this painter’s vision, create the scene full of expressiveness and dramatic tension. Anna Zeńczak
exposition: The Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice,
The Cloth Hall, 1, Main Market Square
key: Romanticism. Towards national art >>>
dimensions: 59,5 x 114,5 cm
description: A major battle in Napoleon’s Russian campaign, though not decisive, took place on September 7, 1812 at Mozhaisk and Borodino. The Grand Army included the V Polish Corps led by Prince Józef Poniatowski and numerous Polish regiments incorporated into French divisions. One of them was the 14th Cuirassier Regiment under Stanisław Małachowski, which was part of the 7th Heavy Cavalry Division led by General Jan Lorge. This regiment – the only Polish heavy cavalry regiment at that time – revived the tradition of the old Hussars in the eyes of the Polish people. In the battle of Borodino, it took part in the attacks on the Russian artillery positions, distinguishing itself especially in the charge into the so-called Great Redoubt. The artist painted the attack of the cuirassiers at the moment of their encounter with the enemy and the hand-to-hand combat. The depiction of the battle from a close perspective, rendered in completely dark, monochrome tones relieved only by the gleams of sabres, cuirasses and helmets, a white horse on its hind legs, a cloud of goldenly illuminated dust as well as the marks of quick and confident brushwork and bold impastos, adding dynamism to this painter’s vision, create the scene full of expressiveness and dramatic tension. Anna Zeńczak
exposition: The Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice,
The Cloth Hall, 1, Main Market Square
key: Romanticism. Towards national art >>>