In this small, meticulously colored image, Napoleon is depicted running (r. to l.) along the banks of the River Rhine. He is dressed in typical fashion, wearing his uniform, with black boots and hallmark hat. A rucksack made of animal (bear?) pelt is slung over his shoulder and flaps open, releasing sheets of paper on which maps inscribed with names of European countries (Brabant, Italien, Holland, Schweitz, Rhein Bund, Polen, Hanseat Department) and with images of soldiers (Junge Garde and Alte Garde). These scattered maps and images symbolize losses Napoleon suffered on the battlefield. Additionally, he holds a long staff topped with a golden statue of Charlemagne enthroned, and labeled Carolus Magnus. On the opposite bank of the Rhine, the city of Mainz, identifiable by the inscription, Maynz, stands against a calm horizon. In this small, meticulously colored image, Napoleon is depicted running (r. to l.) along the banks of the River Rhine. He is dressed in typical fashion, wearing his uniform, with black boots and hallmark hat. A rucksack made of animal (bear?) pelt is slung over his shoulder and flaps open, releasing sheets of paper on which maps inscribed with names of European countries (Brabant, Italien, Holland, Schweitz, Rhein Bund, Polen, Hanseat Department) and with images of soldiers (Junge Garde and Alte Garde). These scattered maps and images symbolize losses Napoleon suffered on the battlefield. Additionally, he holds a long staff topped with a golden statue of Charlemagne enthroned, and labeled Carolus Magnus. On the opposite bank of the Rhine, the city of Mainz, identifiable by the inscription, Maynz, stands against a calm horizon. This sheet is not signed or dated. he Napoleon catalog suggests that it was created sometime during the years 1813-1814. With slight alterations, this popular image was reproduced several times in Germany as well as in many other European countries.
