I am not even going to attempt a biography of my favorite Marshal, Louis-Nicolas Davout!
Duc d'Auerstadt, Prince d'Eckmuhl, and his nickname as the Iron Marshal is a good a one line summary as any!
Davout was not fond of flashy dress, and is depicted in this (relatively) subdued version of the uniform of a Marshal of France. His companion similarly wears regulation dress of a Colonel of a line infantry regiment.
I have had a figure for Davout for decades, and old Minifig casting. Monsieur le Marechal needed an upgrade, however, ably provided by this figure from Front Rank; the colonel is by Foundry.
A pair of Cavalry commanders is next; to the left is Emmanuel, Marquis de Grouchy, "before I was a Marshal"wearing his elaborate, self designed uniform as Colonel-General of Chasseurs. I have seen the ornamentation on the uniform depicted in in both gold and silver; silver seems more appropriate for the Chasseurs! One plate showing a cloak like this has it in dark green, but I used a contrasting light yellow/tan hue instead.
The other figure is a superior officer of one of the Amaranth faced chasseur regiments, eveidently the 30th. He has adopted the popular fashion (for officers) of having his trousers in the regiment's facing color as well.
The pair of beau-sabres are quite a contrast to the dour Davout! Grouchy is once again by Front Rank, and the Chasseur is another re-purposed Foundy colonel; I don't think the chasseur's horse is from either, however
Excellent rendering of two famous commanders. Grouchy surely had a tough time with both Royalists and Bonapartists after Waterloo. At least he got to see a bit of America.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dean, Grouchy was certainly unfairly blamed for Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.
DeleteWell done! He will no doubt serve you proudly on the table.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe. If he doesn't, his earlier version remains in the wings...
DeleteBeautifully presented Napoleonic personalities
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keith!
DeleteWhat an excellent figurine very well painted !
ReplyDeleteYou need to get all these new units and commanders onto the table and into action :-)
There is another running of Wagram planned for the future...
DeleteVery fine - and I like the contrast. Probably Marshal Davout is my favourite, too, though the bar is pretty high. Marshal Lannes rivals Davout in my ... erm ... affection, and I quite like Suchet, Massena and Gouvion St Cyr as well. Napoleon was very fortunate in having such stellar secondment - even though he once complained at how poorly he was seconded by his senior officers.
ReplyDeletePicking favorites is a tough choice. Napoleon had many first rate Marshals. Davout is certainly among anyone’s top three.
DeleteDavout, Lannes, Massena, and Suchet would probably be my top 4.
DeleteWon't disagree with those choices. Where would you rank MacDonald?
DeleteYes, I was surprised to see Peter Young rank him in the top tier. I would rank Eugene above him, with MacDonald in the middle of the pack. I'd rank St Cyr and Soult above MacDonald as well, maybe Ney prior to 1812 as well.
DeleteGreat additions, Peter! I am surprised that Davout has not been in your ranks before now especially given your fondness for the 1809 campaign.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jon; I have had a Davout for about 30 years, a Minifigs version, who has seen many battles. Since I was ordering from Front Rank last year anyway, I added on a upgrade for him.
DeleteSplendid looking Napoleonics leaders! A favourite Marshal! Lovely finish on these dashing chaps!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
You're too kind, Iain!
DeleteI really like that color cape on Grouchy, splendid color palette.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Kevin
Thanks, Kevin. The dark green cape seen in the painting didn't seem to me like it would have sufficient contrast to really set off the rest of this elaborate costume, so I went with this instead.
DeleteExcellent job on these famous French commanders, congrats!
ReplyDeleteMerci, Phil!
DeleteGreat commanders, I'm still waiting for a Davout from Perry, weird they have not yet done him yet. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. Perry initially focused on the 1815 Campaign, when Davout was Minister of War. They don't seem to have added any additional command figures outside that parameter. Hence no Davout, massena, Lannes, Eugene, etc.
DeleteCheers Peter, it's true they started that way, but they have released earlier French ranges now, including Lannes, Lasalle and others. Davout would seem a logical addition to those so hopefully not too far away :)
DeleteVery nice command stands. They will lead your armies to,victory, no doubt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike!
DeleteNice work Peter, and I recognise that Foundry colonel after having painted eighteen or so of him myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and LOL re: 18 copies of the Colonel! They did at least send one with a popm-pom instead of a plume on his shako and holding out the opposite hand to boot (which I used for the Chasseur officer above).
DeleteThe colonel with the alternate hand held out, that would have felt like luxury.
DeleteПревосходная роспись кистью! Отлично!
ReplyDeleteСпасибо димитрий
DeleteI am glad to see your enforced house arrest has been put to prime use. These are delightful to look at. Each is more striking than the last.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. The decrease in my work week of the past 2 months or so has been very beneficial from the painting standpoint!
Delete