La Dernière Ligne – 1812

Artist: Theodore Vaussier
Collection: L’Art de la Guerre
Medium: Oil on canvas 
Dimensions: 56x 43 In
Year Created: 2025

📜 Description:
Set during the brutal retreat from Moscow in Napoleon's 1812 campaign, The Last Line – 1812 captures a moment of haunting resilience. A battered French unit forms a desperate defense in the middle of a snowstorm, surrounded by whispers of oncoming cavalry. At the heart of the painting stands a young drummer boy, face pale but resolute, his drum strapped tightly as he marches forward. Behind him, an officer raises a lantern—its golden glow slicing through the cold blue desolation—as a symbol of guidance, honor, and dwindling hope. The swirling snow, muted palette, and emotional brushwork echo both the physical and psychological toll of war.