Lot 174: Adolf Ignatevich Ladurner, 1798-1855 , Nicolas I visiting adjutant general Sukhozanet oil on board

signed with artist's cypher in Latin l.l. oil on board

image size: 41 by 30cm., 16 by 11¾in

Ivan Onufrievich Sukhozanet (1788-1861) distinguished himself during the 1806-1807 campaign against the French, being wounded at both Preußisch Eylau and Friedland, where he was carried from the field. However, this was only the beginning of a long and successful military career. He was more fortunate in the aftermath of the Patriotic War, rising to the rank of Major General and ending the war as a corps artillery commander. On 14 December 1825, he commanded the artillery that opened fire to disperse the mutinying troops in St Petersburg, after which he was appointed Adjutant General. He went to fight against the Turks and in the Russo-Polish War, during which he lost a leg. Despite this he lived another thirty years as General of Artillery, occupying a series of important military positions. Ladurner portrays Sukhozanet's meeting with the Tsar in an uncharacteristically informal manner. Sukhozanet saved the start of Nicholas I's reign with his cannon fire, but it is rather the leg he lost fighting the Poles that prevents him rising for his Emperor. The stump hangs uselessly, a stool knocked to the floor in the General's embarrassment, and his crutch propped out of easy reach beside the desk. Nicholas has obviously arrived unbidden, and seems untroubled by the breach of protocol, but nonetheless stares above his subject's head.