H.M. the Emperor visiting the tomb of Frederick the Great

This drawing is one of series of preliminary studies for bas-reliefs destined for the Palais du Corps Législatif. It recounts an episode from the Prussian campaign taken from the 18th Bulletin de la Grande Armée written in Potsdam and dated 26 October, 1806: “The emperor went to see the tomb of Frederick the Great. The mortal remains of the great man were enclosed in a wooden coffin enclosed in copper and placed in the vault with ornaments, trophies or any distinctions whatsoever recalling his great actions. The emperor made a present to the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, of Frederick's sword, his black eagle medal, his general's belt and the standards which his guard bore in the Seven Years' War. Those invalided from the army of Hanover will receive with respect all the objects which belonged to one history's finest captains.”