The battle for the Shevardino redoubt took place near the village of Shevardino, Mozhaysk Uyezd, on August 24, 1812, two days before the grand Battle of Borodino. It became a “reconnaissance by fire” for both sides before the decisive battle.

On August 23, construction of a redoubt began at a hill near the village, which, according to Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov’s original plan, was to become the main point of defense of the left flank in the upcoming battle. On the afternoon of August 24, the rearguard of the Russian army eventually retreated under enemy pursuit from the Kolotsky Monastery to the east to the village of Borodino.

A detachment of General Andrei Ivanovich Gorchakov remained at the Shevardino redoubt, which included almost 11,500 soldiers with 36 guns. Napoleon thought the redoubt was an advanced fortification of the Russian army and ordered it to be attacked by a superior force of 36,000 soldiers with 194 guns.

The battle continued until dark with the participation of Russian reserves drawn up to the redoubt. However, the French managed to hold the captured fortification, and Gorchakov’s detachment was forced to withdraw. On the day of the battle, August 26, Napoleon’s command post was located near the Shevardino redoubt.

The Russian heavy cavalry took an active part in the last stage of the battle. To the north of the redoubt, the enemy infantry and artillery were attacked by the Little Russia Cuirassier Regiment. This formation was established in 1785. In 1812, the regiment was part of the 2nd Cuirassier Division, which at the time of the Shevardino battle was commanded by Major General Ilya Mikhailovich Duka.

It was this attack that was depicted on the canvas by the war artist Alexander Averyanov. The free composition of the painting, dominated by the figures of Russian cuirassiers galloping among the resisting French gunners and abandoned cannons, sharply reflects the fierce nature of the battle.

The artist chose a specific color scheme to show that the battle began in the dark. Alexander Averyanov painted a gloomy, smoky sky, pierced by the fire of shots that illuminate the figures of the soldiers.

Alexander Averyanov was born in 1950. He became one of the leading war artists in Russia and the largest one to devote himself to the theme of the Patriotic War of 1812. His paintings are distinguished by the accuracy in rendering both the events and details of uniforms and weapons.