Large statue of soldier Tambour de Armee de Napoleon by Auguste Poitevin, 19th C
Description
Large statue of a Tambour of the army of Napoleon signed Poitevin 1792
Great details and an impressive piece
Auguste Poitevin (1818/19-1873) French sculptor
Polychrme painted cast spelter
The figure is in good condition, consistent with age. The paint is worn and shows some blemishes and scratches
Measures: 100 cm high, 31 cm wide, 32 cm deep
Napoleon was stationed in Paris in 1792. The French Revolution had
been raging for three bloody years. It reached a climax on Aug. 10,
1792, with the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a
French Republic. This was a decisive event in Napoleon's life, for it
gave him his opportunity to get ahead. (See also French Revolution .)
Most of the French officers had remained faithful to the king.
Napoleon, however, viewed the Revolution with an open mind. The
new republic was faced with foreign and civil war. It desperately
needed able and loyal officers. In the "little Corsican" it found a willing
recruit. In 1792 Napoleon was made a captain. In 1793 he was
chosen to direct the artillery in the siege of Toulon. This was an
important French port whose citizens had rebelled against the
republic. Here he first showed his qualities as a soldier and as a leader
of men.