Artwork

Oberst Boncke Bönnichsens fald den 6. december 1813 under en fægtning mellem jyske dragoner og kosakker

Oberst Boncke Bönnichsens fald den 6. december 1813 under en fægtning mellem jyske dragoner og kosakker is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The canvas, dating from around 1820, records the fatal encounter of Colonel Boncke Bönnichsen on 6 December 1813, when Jutland dragoons clashed with Cossack cavalry. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and presents a densely populated battlefield scene rendered in a muted palette.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the composition a lone rider in a bright red jacket stands out, emphasizing the moment of the colonel’s death amid the surrounding melee. The varied uniforms and weapons—swords, spears, and firearms—suggest the chaotic nature of the skirmish and the clash of distinct military traditions.

Technique & Style

The artist employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to give depth to the horsemen and the smoky horizon. A limited, earthy colour scheme reinforces the somber atmosphere, while the loose brushwork conveys movement and urgency.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after the events it depicts, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its provenance traces back to the early nineteenth‑century interest in documenting the Napoleonic‑era conflicts that affected the Danish territories.

Context

The battle illustrated was part of the larger 1813 campaign in which Danish forces, including Jutland dragoons, faced Russian‑aligned Cossack units during the waning years of the Napoleonic Wars. The work reflects contemporary efforts to memorialise national military losses.