General Desaix and the Battle of Marengo

​Louis Charles Antoine Desaix (Ayat-sur-Sioule, France, 17th August 1768 – Marengo, Italy, 14th June 1800)

General Desaix by Andrea Appiani, 1800-01

Not so long ago we were present at the death of one of Napoleon's closes friends and today, we find ourselves once more on the Napoleonic battlefields in the heat of conflict. I was first set to thinking about the celebrated general, Louis Desaix, when his brief appearance by portrait in my post on Andrea Appiani drew many admiring glances so today he features in a story of his own, though not a happy one by any means!

Desaix rose from poverty to high military office and decoration, eventually becoming one of Napoleon's most loyal and trusted retainers. His death came at Marengo, Italy in 1800 just days after his arrival to join Napoleonic forces there and take on an infantry command. As Desaix led his men towards engagement, he was met by a member of Napoleon's personal retinue who informed him that the battle was already turned, the Austrians were on the cusp of victory against the French.

Desaix pressed on for an interview with Napoleon and told him, "This battle is lost, but there is time to win another!". The words rallied Napoleon and the battle continued under Desaix's command. The French held Marengo that day, but at the cost of thousands on both sides and one of those who lay dead was Desaix, shot through the heart with a musket ball.

Desaix's body was buried initially in Milan and then, five years later, was moved to a ceremonial tomb at the Great Saint Bernard Pass. He is honoured on the Arc de Triomphe, a pivotal figure in the Battle of Marengo and the military life of Napoleon.

Andrea Appiani, Napoleon's Favourite Artist

Andrea Appiani (Milan, Italy, 31st May 1754 – Milan, Italy, 8th November 1817) 

As regular visitors will know, my favourite room in my tottering house on Henrietta Street is the salon. Here I sit at the desk, quill in hand as I pen my daily dispatches with a cup of tea always within reach. For inspiration I might look out into the bustle of Covent Garden or, if I'm in a more pensive mood, peruse the works of art that hang upon the wall, many of which come attached to an occasionally ribald story. Today's story isn't ribald but it is a tale of art, and the life of a neoclassicist painter who was also a particular favourite of Napoleon. 

Napoleon I of France, 1805

Andrea Appiani was born in Milan as the son of a doctor and his early career plans were simply to follow his father into medicine. However, this scheme evaporated as he discovered a love of art, showing an early talent for illustration. As a young man he became a student of Carlo Maria Giudici, under whose tutelage Appiani was able to learn the basics of craft and form. From here he undertook further study at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana before going on to study anatomy and learning the art of the fresco first with Martin Knoller and then with Giulio Traballesi at the Accademia di Brera. 

General Desaix, 1800-01

As the century rolled on Appiani became a master of frescoes, painting a number of allegorical pieces for the most illustrious clients in Italy, as well as ecclesiastical frescoes. He toured Italy at the dawn of the 1790s, returning to Milan as one of the most famous artists in the country. Amongst his biggest fans he counted Napoleon himself and in return for frescoes honouring the Emperor, the painter was made court artist to the Kingdom of Italy. In this privileged position he completed innumerable commissions including nearly three dozen works depicting Napoleon's life and achievements. Not content with this, he returned to the Accademia di Brera as a tutor, passing on his knowledge to those who would follow in his footsteps.

The Olympus

In this highest of artistic offices he enjoyed the best of everything yet fate dealt a cruel blow to Appiani when, in 1813, he suffered a fit that left him partially paralysed. No longer able to paint, he retired to his home and remained there until his death in 1817, leaving behind a rich body of work for which he is still celebrated today. 


If you'd like to see more Appiani, visit me on Pinterest!

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Marriage, War and Living up to Napoleon: Eugène de Beauharnais

Eugène Rose de Beauharnais (Paris, France, 3rd September 1781 – Munich, Bavaria, 21st February 1824)

Eugène de Beauharnais  by Andrea Appiani, 1810

We met a lady by the name of de Beauharnais just a few days ago and now it's time to meet a gentleman by the same name. We're staying in France and not straying too far from Napoleon as we say happy birthday to Eugène Rose de Beauharnais.

Eugène was the eldest child of Alexandre de Beauharnais, later to die on the revolutionary guillotine, and Joséphine Tascher de la Pagerie, better known to history as the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. When his mother and father were incarcerated during the Reign of Terror, Eugène's time was devoted to his military education,  initially under General Lazare Hoche and then at the Collège Irlandais.

Eugène de Beauharnais  by Henry Scheffer, 1906

Eugène first encountered Napoleon when he requested an audience to demand the return of Alexandre's sword, taken from him at his arrest. The young man was thoroughly was unimpressed with Napoleon at that meeting but the feeling was far from mutual. Impressed with Eugène's loyalty and courage, Napoleon duly saw to it that the sword was returned.

Already making a name for himself as a soldier, following his mother's marriage to Napoleon, Eugène's career improved in leaps and bounds. Although he initially disliked his new stepfather, he went on to fight alongside Napoleon in Egypt, where he was wounded at the Siege of Acre in 1799. The young man's injuries caused him to return to Paris where he found his mother and Napoleon at odds, each furious at the infidelities of the other. Proving himself a shrewd negotiator on the domestic front Eugène brought the couple back together, though their relationship would continue to be rocky.

The Marriage of Eugene de Beauharnais and Princess Augusta by Francois Guillaume Menageot

With his injuries healed, Eugène returned to active service and was given command of the Army of Italy, eventually earning himself the title of Viceroy of Italy in 1805, one in a growing pile of honours. The following year would prove eventful for our hero as he was legally adopted by Napoleon and subsequently given the title, Prince de Venise. He also married Princess Augusta of Bavaria in a union arranged between Napoleon and her father, Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, Their politically astute marriage was to mature into a contented and happy bond, with the couple eventually having seven children together.

Princess Augusta of Bavaria by Joseph Karl Stieler

Eugène proved himself a popular leader in Italy, taking an interest in the country's constitutional reform and defending his territory against Austrian forces during the 1809 War of the Fifth Coalition. It was here that he experienced his first significant defeat in battle at the Battle of Sacile. Following this failure he regrouped, returned to the strategy table and went on to win a series of victories, securing his position and reputation.

Eugène's glittering career would come to a juddering halt with the fall of Napoleon. Seeking advice from his father-in-law, Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, he retired with his family to Munich and remained there until his death, his reputation as a fearless soldier and gifted military strategist secure.

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