Artwork

Alexander I presents to Napoleon I the Kalmyks, Cossacks and Baskirs of the Russian army, July 9, 1807

Alexander I presents to Napoleon I the Kalmyks, Cossacks and Baskirs of the Russian army, July 9, 1807 is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a specific diplomatic encounter on July 9, 1807, where Tsar Alexander I presents soldiers from the Russian army to Emperor Napoleon I.

The painting depicts a specific diplomatic encounter on July 9, 1807, where Tsar Alexander I presents soldiers from the Russian army to Emperor Napoleon I. The composition focuses on the introduction of distinct ethnic military units, specifically identified as Kalmyks, Cossacks, and Bashkirs, who are shown alongside the general staff.

As a history painting, the work serves as a visual record of the interactions between the two leaders and their forces during this period. The inclusion of these diverse groups highlights the multi-ethnic composition of the Russian military presence at the time, framing the meeting through the lens of cultural and martial diversity within the army.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 230 cm in height and 248 cm in width. The composition adheres to the conventions of French academic history painting, organizing the scene around a central confrontation between Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon I.

Bergeret’s handling emphasizes narrative clarity, with sharply delineated figures and controlled lighting that directs attention to the protagonists and their entourages. The stylistic qualities reflect neoclassical influence, particularly in the sober palette, balanced arrangement of groups, and restrained gestures, while the depiction of diverse uniforms and accoutrements underscores the historical specificity of the event.

History & Provenance

Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret executed this history painting in oil on canvas, depicting the July 9, 1807 meeting between Emperor Alexander I and Napoleon I. The work was originally owned by Napoleon and later entered the collections of the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles, where it remains housed. It bears the inventory numbers MV 1731, INV 2518, and AC 1181. The painting was publicly exhibited at the Salon of 1810.

The painting is housed in the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles, where it is catalogued under multiple inventory references including MV 1731, INV 2518, and AC 1181. It was displayed in the Salon of 1810 and remains part of the permanent collection at the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

Context

The painting was first shown at the Salon of 1810 and is held in the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, where it entered the collection after being transferred from Napoleon’s ownership. Contemporary scholarship notes its role as a visual record of diplomatic gestures following the Treaty of Tilsit, emphasizing the artist’s blend of neoclassical composition with documentary detail. Art historians regard it as a representative example of early nineteenth‑century French history painting, reflecting both imperial propaganda and the era’s fascination with exotic military contingents.

Legacy

The painting has been regularly displayed at the Palace of Versailles, where it is part of the national collection, and its presence at the Salon of 1810 contributed to its contemporary reputation as a vivid record of diplomatic encounters. Modern scholarship continues to cite it as an illustrative example of Napoleonic-era historical painting, and the work is frequently referenced in studies of diplomatic art and of representations of steppe peoples in European visual culture.

Overview

Pierre‑Nolasque Bergeret’s oil on canvas, executed circa 1832, records a diplomatic encounter between Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Emperor Napoleon I. Set on 9 July 1807, the composition shows the Russian ruler introducing contingents of Kalmyk, Cossack and Bashkir soldiers to the French emperor. The work belongs to the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

Farewell of Napoleon I and Alexander after the peace of Tilsitt, July 9, 1807, Gioacchino Giuseppe Serangeli

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Artist & collection

Artist

Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret

Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret (30 January 1782, Bordeaux – 21 February 1863, Paris) was a French painter, pioneer lithographer and designer of medals and costumes for the stage, who studied with Jacques-Louis David.