Rams Head Antiques

Description

This is a portrait miniature painting of Michel Ney, Marshall of the Empire and “Bravest of the Brave “ as he was nicknamed by Napoleon.

Michel Ney was a fascinating character in French history who fought in the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. His titles included 1st Duke of Elchingen and 1st Price of the Moskva and he held command of VI Corp Grande Armee, III Corp, and Commander of the left wing Army of the North.

After Napoleons defeat and exile he was executed by firing squad in Paris near the Luxembourg Gardens. He refused to wear a blindfold and was allowed the right to give the order to fire, reportedly saying.

Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the order. It will be my last to you. I protest against my condemnation. I have fought a hundred battles for France, and not one against her ... Soldiers, fire!
The portrait is in excellent condition painted after Francois Pascal Gerald (1770-1837) and signed and dated. It is in watercolour with Ney wearing a blue tunic with gold epaulettes, displaying his awards, The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour and The Commander of the Order of the Iron Crown. The portrait is framed in a good quality tooled gilt metal oval frame with decorative ribbon surmount.

The frame measures 15 cms by 10 cms.
UK insured delivery is £10