Battle of Kunersdorf on 1 August 1759

Rendered in oil, the painting employs a palette of muted earth tones punctuated by flashes of red and gold to highlight uniforms and artillery. Kotzebue’s brushwork varies from tight, precise rendering of soldiers’ faces to looser, atmospheric strokes that suggest movement and the haze of battlefield smoke.

After its completion, the canvas entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, where it remains on public display. The acquisition reflects the museum’s 19th‑century emphasis on European historical works and its ongoing commitment to preserving Romantic-era narratives.

The Battle of Kunersdorf was a decisive defeat for Prussia during the Seven Years’ War, marking a turning point in the conflict. Kotzebue, whose oeuvre frequently depicted military episodes, chose this episode to illustrate the broader Romantic fascination with national destiny and the catastrophic consequences of imperial ambition.