Scene of a 1812 Patriotic War

Fyodor Tolstoy (1783–1873)

Series of reliefs depicting the Patriotic War of 1812 between Russia and France. 19th century. Plaster casts

In order to celebrate the triumph of Russia and its allies over Napoleon, the artist Fyodor Tolstoy created a series of bas-reliefs. It consists of allegorical compositions on 21 medallions, which emphasise the victory of Russian troops in their own land, and their role as liberators of Europe – from the battle of Borodino to the subjugation of Paris. The original series of pink wax figures on a black background, made in 1814–1836, are at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.
Tolstoy, who had a military background, achieved fame throughout Europe with his series of patriotic bas-reliefs. He was appointed a member of the art academies of Vienna and Prussia, and received an award at the London World Fair.
Moulds were made after the original round stone medallions with wax reliefs, in order to make plaster, bronze, glass and porcelain casts of the compositions. The colour scheme of the Kadriorg Museum’s 14 plaster reliefs – white figures on a light blue background in octagonal frames – is similar to that of Wedgwood earthenware, which was extremely fashionable at the time.

Scene of a 1812 Patriotic War

Fyodor Tolstoy (1783–1873). Series of reliefs depicting the Patriotic War of 1812 between Russia and France. 19th century. Plaster casts

In order to celebrate the triumph of Russia and its allies over Napoleon, the artist Fyodor Tolstoy created a series of bas-reliefs. It consists of allegorical compositions on 21 medallions, which emphasise the victory of Russian troops in their own land, and their role as liberators of Europe – from the battle of Borodino to the subjugation of Paris. The original series of pink wax figures on a black background, made in 1814–1836, are at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.
Tolstoy, who had a military background, achieved fame throughout Europe with his series of patriotic bas-reliefs. He was appointed a member of the art academies of Vienna and Prussia, and received an award at the London World Fair.
Moulds were made after the original round stone medallions with wax reliefs, in order to make plaster, bronze, glass and porcelain casts of the compositions. The colour scheme of the Kadriorg Museum’s 14 plaster reliefs – white figures on a light blue background in octagonal frames – is similar to that of Wedgwood earthenware, which was extremely fashionable at the time.

The Battle at Borodino

Fyodor Tolstoy. 1817. Wax. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg