Lot 256: W/C Gouche Field of Borodino CW Faber du Faur

MONUMENTAL W/C GOUACHE - 'On the Field of Borodino, 17 Sept' 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 aftermath of the final battle that opened the way to Moscow which took place on 7 Sept, 1812 at the Valley of Shevardino, depicting the ruins of Morand's division with a tangled mass of corpses stripped of their boots, dead and crippled horses and scattered wreckage, unsigned, described in his diaries, a more finished version was used for the print, as depicted in the book. In the original period frame and old glass, yellowed, tear on right, stains at sides and bottom, puncture on left, SS: 26" x 48", OS: 32" x 54". A remarkable record of this pivotal historical event.