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The First Sight of Moscow

Laslett John Pott

1896

oil

canvas

From the collection of Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Impressionism Late 19th Century History Painting Napoleon

Dominant colour

The First Sight of Moscow is a 1896 oil by Laslett John Pott, a Impressionism work, depicting Napoleon, held at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Who painted this?: Laslett John Pott
When & what style?: 1896 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

About this work

The painting depicts a group of soldiers on horseback, with one soldier standing out in the foreground. He is dressed in a dark jacket with red accents and a white headband, holding a sword in his right hand. The background features a cityscape with buildings and trees, set against a gray sky. In the distance, a large group of soldiers can be seen marching towards the city. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of movement and energy, with the soldiers appearing to be in the midst of a battle or march. The artist's use of color and composition creates a sense of depth and tension, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure of the soldier. To learn more about the artist's techniques, explore the use of chiaroscuro in his work.