Lot 255: W/C Gouache Lichenstein Café Faber du Faur

MONUMENTAL W/C GOUACHE - 'The Lichtenstein Cafe, 7 Dec' by Christian Wilhelm Faber du Faur (German, 1780-1857), a Lieutenant in Napoleon's Grand Army during the Invasion of Russia, this done as part of a series later reproduced and sold as stone lithographs; this image depicts the ragged remnants of the artist's artillery regiment attempting to regroup at the last stop in Vilna, Russia on the retreat from Moscow, under pursuit by Cossacks, showing officers of the 25th Division, this painting was used to create the print as depicted in the book of du Faur's work, in later gold molded frame, glazed, SS: 25 1/4" x 39", OS: 31" x 44", not laid down, some small areas of water staining, two small punctures, small edge tears, stretcher impression. A remarkable record of the end of Napoleon's Grand Army made by an Officer who was there.