Artwork
The Battle of Kulm, the 17th of August, 1813
The Battle of Kulm, the 17th of August, 1813 is an oil painting by Alexander von Kotzebue. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
The oil canvas titled *The Battle of Kulm, the 17th of August, 1813* was painted in 1843 by Alexander von Kotzebue, a German artist associated with the Romantic movement. It records a decisive clash of the 1813 campaign against Napoleon and is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection of historic works.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures the tumult of the Kulm engagement, showing cavalry and infantry intermingled amid billowing smoke and flames. Uniforms of various nationalities are rendered with attention to detail, while flags and weapons emphasize the ferocity of close‑quarter combat. The scene conveys both the chaos of battle and the heroic resolve of the combatants.
Technique & Style
Kotzebue employs a dramatic chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with bright highlights to model figures and accentuate the smoky atmosphere. The brushwork varies from fine detailing on uniforms to broader strokes for the distant hills, creating a sense of depth and kinetic energy across the canvas.
History & Provenance
Created three decades after the actual encounter, the painting reflects the 19th‑century fascination with national military triumphs. It entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings in the late 19th century, where it has remained a representative example of Romantic historicism in Russian public collections.
Context
The Battle of Kulm was a pivotal moment in the War of the Sixth Coalition, halting French advance after the disastrous Russian campaign. Kotzebue’s work aligns with contemporary German Romantic artists who used grand historical subjects to explore themes of sacrifice, patriotism, and the sublime power of nature in warfare.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander Friedrich Wilhelm Franz von Kotzebue or Alexander Yevstafiyevich Kotzebue (Russian: Александр Евстафиевич Коцебу, romanized: Aleksandr Yevstafiyevich Kotsebu; 9 June 1815 – 24 August 1889) was a German…
