The Battle of Borodino was one of the major battles during the campaign of Napoleon into Russia. It took place Sept. 7, 1812, between Napoleon's Grande Armee and General Mikhail Kutuzov's Russian forces defending Moscow. Historians have debated the outcome of the battle--some argue that it was a crushing defeat for the Russians, while others have concluded that the French forces failed in gaining a clear victory and instead incited a stronger Russian response. The French went on to occupy Moscow, but the Russians burned nearly the entire city to the ground. The French, who had relied on supplies to be had in Moscow were forced to retreat. Their armies were then soundly beaten by the Russian forces who eventually marched on Paris.
The battle itself occurred in and around the village of Borodino, about 110 km (about 70 mi) southwest of Moscow. To halt Napoleon's advance on Moscow, about 125,000 Russians built earthworks along the highway at Borodino. The French army, about 130,000 men, reached the position on September 6 and began an assault early the next day. After maneuvering the enemy commander into massing his strength in the center, Napoleon ordered a fierce bombardment and then a cavalry attack that broke through the lines. Considered one of the bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic wars, Russian casualties in the battle were about 42,000 men. Napoleon lost approximately 32,000 men. The battle is described in detail in Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace (1869). The conflict was also the inspiration for Tchaikovsky's famous 1812 Overture.
The composition shows a group of Russian Hussars, or cavalry division, advancing during part of the battle. This is actually a reproduction of a very small section of an enormous panoramic painting of the battle, which is the major attraction in the State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve in Russia. Members of the Russian army have been described as being extremely dedicated--used to a hard domestic life, the rigors of military duties seemed to fall right in line, and thus the infantry and cavalry alike would march straight ahead towards their goal until they reached it, or until a musket shot knocked them down.
Alexey Chirkov has painted this scene with realism and beauty. The lead Hussar is leaping over a fallen cannon, holding the ensign above him as encouragement to his fellow cavalrymen. With swords drawn, the charge is on. Thanks to excellent detailing, such as the dry weeds in the foreground, the texture of fur on the saddle, and the horse's rippling muscles, you can almost hear the battle cries and smell the odor of dust mixed with gun powder. The color choices and the actual paint mixtures are bright yet lifelike. The sky is painted wonderfully, with a hazy brightness above, and low-lying clouds of dust and smoke below.
Painted on a round paper-mache box, the composition is framed by a line of gold paint. The sides of this exceptional piece are decorated with a tartan pattern (called "Schotlandskaya" by the Fedoskino artists) with forest green and sky blue lines accented with gold disk punch-outs. The piece sits flat and the lid is not hinged. The artist has then signed and dated the composition. (Fedoskino)
Materials: paper-mache, black and red lacquer, oil paint, gold.
Additional on-line resources:
-- Virtual Battle of Borodino
www.hamilton.edu/academics/Russian/warandpeace/vb/default.html
-- Battle Maps and Strategy
www.ddg.com/LIS/InfoDesignF97/aschorz/BORODINO.HTM
-- An excerpt from WAR AND PEACE by Leo Tolstoy www.friends-partners.org/newfriends/culture/literature/war_and_peace/war-peace_b10c28.html
-- Museum of the Battle of Borodino www.museum.ru/borodino/Begine.htm
About Artist Chirkov, Alexey Nikolaevich:
Chirkov Alexey Nikolaevich was born in 1974 in the village of Fedoskino, Moscow region, where he resides now. In 1994 Alexey graduated from the Fedoskino Art School.
The artist works in the style of Fedoskino lacquer miniature and uses oil paints. Chirkov's favorite themes to depict are architecture and genre scenes.
He has created the following original works:
1995 - "Princess Frog",
1996 - "The St. Avraam's monastery" (Rostov the Great),
1998 - "Moscow".
Starting a new composition, the artist intends to attain the best result and create a piece that will make him glad. He finishes work on a miniature when there is nothing to add and the miniature is brought to per
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read about Chirkov, Alexey Nikolaevich
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Battle of Borodino 1999"
- Price: $550.00
- Status: SOLD
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