Porcelain plaque. Hand-painted based on a painting by an unknown artist from the Willevalde school, "The Life Guards Cavalry Regiment in Paris in 1814," in a wooden frame. The size of the plaque is 25.5 by 21.5 cm, and the size of the frame is 38.5 by 34.5 cm. Workshop of Lady Bystritskaya. Saint Petersburg, 2007, hand-painting executed by Olga Volkova.

1812-1814. Moscow-Paris

On September 14, 1812, the troops of a united Europe, led by Napoleon I, entered Moscow. Believing, as they thought then and still think now, in the light of civilization, liberation, and so on, they had a rather grand self-image. However, by October 20, the "civilizers" had departed the capital of the "barbaric country," overwhelmed by the onslaught of "wild hordes." The reciprocal visit did not take long to follow. On March 31, 1814, after a very bloody battle in Paris, the "barbarians" entered the "stronghold of civilization." Unfortunately, photography was not known at that time, but drawings and paintings served as good substitutes. They allowed for a comparison between the behavior of civilized people and barbarians. And it is up to you to decide who is who.