In 1830s, Niсholas I conceived an idea of establishing an art gallery glorifying the Russian Army victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 in the Winter Palace. A series of 12 paintings was created by famous Bavarian battle artist Peter von Hess. It also included Crossing the Berezina River painted in 1844.

The artist managed to convey a unique feature of the Battle of the Berezina (territory of modern Belarus). On 14-17 (26-29 old style) November 1812, Napoleon won the victory on the one bank of the river and suffered a terrible defeat on the other. To show this, the author represented events of different days on one canvas – such method was often used in the battle painting of the 18th-19th centuries.

At the forefront, Hess showed the events of the last day of crossing. That day, on the left bank of the Berezina River, mainly left behind, soldiers of Napoleon’s Great Army stayed, bewildered, deadly tired and sick.

By the broken tree, warriors still capable of resistance are grouped together. They are led by the Old Guard infantry soldier in a tall fur hat. From the right, two Russian officers are rushing towards him. A Cossack Army officer, with a gesture, offers the enemy to surrender weapons without getting into a hopeless fight.

Nearby, the painter depicted an abandoned cart with a fallen horse still harnessed to it. Despite Napoleon’s strictest orders to burn all ‘excessive’ carriages and wagons, the Great Army was retreating from Moscow with an enormous baggage train. Many soldiers and officers tried to keep the booty until the last moment.

The French pontooners already started erecting bridges over the Berezina River on November 14. They built two accommodation bridges: one for the infantry and cavalry and the other one – for the artillery and trains. The bridges were periodically broken and the pontooners had to repair then in a rush. In a distant view, it is visible how one of the bridges collapsed. The other one was set on fire by the French in the morning, when their troops effective units completed crossing.

On the right, western bank of the river, the artist showed the events that took place on the eve. The 3rd heavy cavalry division of General Jean-Pierre Doumerc is attacking the infantry of the 3rd Western Army of Admiral Pavel Chichagov. Doumerc’s cuirassiers overrun the Russian infantry stretched in skirmish chains. This success allowed the effective units of Napoleon’s army to avoid encirclement on the Berezina River.

Despite the strategic victory – Napoleon did manage to cross the river – the Great Army suffered enormous losses. Soon after this battle, the remnants of Napoleon’s Army departed from the territory of the Russian Empire.