Summary
Medal Retraite de L'Armee, Retreat of the Armies, Issued by France, 1812
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu and Andre Galle
Minted by Paris Mint
Obverse Description
Laureate head facing right; around, NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.; on neck truncation, ANDRIEU F.
Reverse Description
Helmeted warrior in rapid flight to right, he wears a shaggy lion-skin which is nearly blown from his shoulders by the god Boreas flying in the air following close behind and carring an inflated bag from which wind and hail beat the fleeing soldier; below, a dead horse, cannon dismounted with and the wheels on fire; on left, one solitary bare tree; in the background, a tumbril in flames; in exergue, RETRAITE DE L'ARMEE. / NOVEMBRE . MDCCCXII
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
"However severe the French array, it is universally allowed, must have suffered, we hope there is a probability, for the sake of humanity, that the above accounts, though derived from the most credible sources, have been greatly exaggerated. So great was the degree of cold this season, we are informed, that at Copenhagen, on the 19th December, Reaumer's thermometer was thirteen degrees below zero; and at Wilna, twenty-five degrees below the same point." Laskey p. 216 (the end of an eight page description of the retreat of the French army)
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1812 AD
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Issued By
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Artist
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Artist
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Mint
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Series
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Material
Bronze
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
41 mm (Outside Diameter), 39.1 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Laskey CXXX
[Book] Laskey, J. C. Medals Struck at the National Medal Mint by Order of Napoleon Bonaparte., 208-216 Pages