Artwork
Battle of Tarutino on 6 (18) October 1812
Battle of Tarutino on 6 (18) October 1812 is an oil painting by Peter von Hess. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Peter von Hess, a 19th‑century German painter, completed an oil work titled *Battle of Tarutino on 6 (18) October 1812* in 1847. The canvas belongs to the tradition of history painting and is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection in Saint Petersburg.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays the Russian victory at Tarutino during the 1812 campaign against Napoleon’s forces. By focusing on the tumult of combat—hand‑to‑hand fighting in the foreground and a massed army in the distance—the painting emphasizes the disorder and ferocity of the encounter.
Technique & Style
Von Hess employs a realistic, detailed approach, rendering horses in varied poses—rearing, galloping, or standing—alongside infantry in period uniforms. The palette features a light blue sky with scattered clouds, while the dense arrangement of figures creates a sense of movement and immediacy.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑19th century, the work reflects von Hess’s broader interest in Napoleonic battles. It entered the Hermitage’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s extensive military‑history collection.
Context
The Battle of Tarutino, fought on 6 October (Old Style) / 18 October (New Style) 1812, marked a turning point in the Russian campaign, allowing the retreating Russian army to regroup. Von Hess’s depiction aligns with contemporary German fascination with the Napoleonic Wars and serves as a visual record of the event.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Heinrich Lambert von Hess (29 July 1792 – 4 April 1871) was a German painter, known for historic paintings, especially of the Napoleonic Wars and the Greek War of Independence.
