End of Empire

Size : 53” X 30”

Medium : Oil on Canvas

The painting 'End of Empire' shows the position of the 3rd Battalion of Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard making a last valiant effort to protect Napoleon's retreat whilst trying to hold the French Army together in the final stages of the Battle of Waterloo.

At that point, with their ranks already drastically thinned, they formed a ragged square near La Belle Alliance, Napoleon’s headquarters for most of the battle. In the painting they are being harassed by members of the British 10th Hussars while British Horse Artillery can be seen coming into action to the left centre of the scene. It was just after the point in time depicted in the painting that, according to legend, they were invited to surrender but declined. The artillery was left to deal with them.

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