Lot 52: Anton Ritter von Perger , Austrian 1809 - 1876 Napoleons Überfahrt aus der Lobau nach der verlorenen Schlacht bei Aspern (Napoleon leaving the Lobau after the defeat at the battle of Aspern) oil on canvas

signed and dated v. Perger 1845. lower left; inscribed Aspern 1809 centre right oil on canvas

115.7 by 147cm., 45½ by 58¾in.

Friedrich von Boetticher, Malerwerke des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts, vol. II, part I, Dresden, 1891-1910, p. 235, no. 13

Estate of the artist; thence by descent to the present owner

PROPERTY FROM AN AUSTRIAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
At the Battle of Aspern-Essling, fought on 21-22 of May 1809, Napoleon and his allies attempted a forced crossing of the Danube near Vienna, but were thwarted by the Austrian forces under Archduke Charles.

The battle marked the first time Napoleon had been personally defeated in over a decade.