Marchal Ney, 7 December 1815

Marshal Michel Ney, Duke of Elchingen, Prince of Moskowa (1769-1815) was convicted of high treason for having rallied to Napoleon on his return from the island of Elba in March 1815 (during the Hundred Days). He was executed on 7 December 1815, in Paris, Avenue de l’Observatoire.

It was in this fearless posture of the marshal presenting his chest to the guns that the sculptor Henri Jacquemart chose to stage him, echoing the nickname of “brave of the brave” that was given to him. This statue was a great success when it was exhibited at the Salon of 1868.

December 2020