The Grand Armee of 1812 by Carl Vernet (1758-1836)

Of all the French artists chronicling the uniforms of the Grand Armee of Napoleon among the most respected is Carle Vernet (1758-1836). He lived and actively painted during the Napoleonic Wars. As a first hand observer we can consider him a contemporary and thus attach a great historical significance to his works. Carle Vernet was a true artist and his uniform prints and paintings were more of a side line than an avocation. He is best know for his landscapes and tableaux in the traditional French style.
Nine of these paintings were published by the Brunons in France in 1959. These are now selling for upwards of $22 per plate when and if they can be found. We are pleased to be able to offer 22 of these prints done in 1812 to illustrate the glory of Napoleon’s Army.
What is perhaps most interesting about these prints is that the artist has chosen to illustrate not only the standard uniforms but in many cases to offer various orders of dress. His painting of the Carabiner officer shows the more common white service uniform and the plain sky blue saddle without the ornate silver trim. This was the order of dress that was worn the majority of the time.

1. Officer of Carabiniers in service uniform with service saddle. (The parade saddle is shown in the background)
2. Officers of Chevauleger Lancers in “tenue de societe” (Social Dress)
3. Trooper, 1st Regiment of Chasseurs a Cheval
4. Officer of Infantry and Sergeant “Porte Aigle” (The sergeant wears a Carabiner type helmet to signify that he is one of those chosen to protect the regimental “Eagle”. This unusual head gear for an infantryman was an affectation dictated by the regimental colonel’s pocketbook.
5. Line infantry and sous-adjutant major
6. Trumpeters of the 1st and 2nd Carabinier regiment. This is the regulation uniform for these trumpeters. The figure on the left wears the cuirass which was not considered as regulation so that makes this print most interesting. Both figures wear the “Imperial Livery”. The dark green jacket of the regimental cut and the special lace were made regulation in 1812 to bring about more uniformity. Many colonels held to the older and more elaborate uniforms for their trumpeters and drummers.
7. Gunner of Horse Artillery
8. Sergeant of 1st Regiment of Dragoons and Trooper. Both wear overcoats of light gray with red lining. A great illustration of the cut of the all important overcoat usually carried strapped to the portmanteau.
9. Drummers of the 10th Infantry Regiment. The figure at left wears the undress uniform of dark green which distinguishes him as a musician. He also wears the fatigue cap of the “pokalem” style. The figure at right wears the regulation Imperial Livery.
10. Marshals of France in regulation uniforms
11. Voltigeurs of Swiss Infantry. The Swiss provided a number of infantry regiments for the French. They were completely uniformed in the French style with red coats instead of dark blue.
12. Artillery Officers, the seated figure wears the dress and field uniform while the one at right wears the “walking out dress” or tenue de societe worn on social occasions.
13. Officers of the Topographical Engineers. These were the map makers and surveyors attached to the general staff. They were responsible for planning campaigns and providing accurate information of terrain and march routes.
14. Officer of Chevauleger Lancers of a Polish Regiment. With the success of the Polish allies and their lances Napoleon determined to convert some of his cavalry regiments to lancers. Several were uniformed in “Polish Style”. This officer wears a mix- French style Hungarian trousers and a Polish cut saddle and jacket. The headgear is the czapka of Polish origin.
15. Officer of the 1st Cuirassier Regiment. This was the most renowned of the heavy Cuirassier regiments. This is a major or colonel denoted by the two stripes on his saddle cloth. Notice the leopard skin turban on his helmet which replaces the regulation bearskin turban.
16. Dragoon of the 1st Dragoon Regiment. Like the infantry regiments the dragoons were also issued a shorter cut jacket with lapels buttoning to the waist.
17. Before 1812 there was no uniformity for musicians, they were dressed at the whim of the regimental colonel. These two musicians wear new “spencer” cut jackets of green with regimental color facings.
18. Officer of 1st Dragoon Regiment in Full dress uniform 19. Mounted Gendarme. This figure wears the regulation coat, other illustrations suggest that many units retained the older long coats.
20. Hussar Officers. The hussar regiments were obviously among the most expensive to uniform and officers had to pay for their own. The figure at left is in tenue de societe while the major at right wears non-regulation white trousers replacing the regular sky blue. White trousers were preferred for summer. Notice the gold and silver Hungarian knots indicating the rank of major.
21. Hussar Officers in campaign uniforms.
22. General Officers in full dress.