About this sheet
Napoleonic Swiss Grenadier, Régiments Suisses 1812 – Imperial Guard Print
This finely executed hand-colored military print depicts a grenadier of the Swiss regiments in French Imperial service during the later Napoleonic campaigns, dated 1812. Although often visually associated with Dutch or allied Guard troops due to similarities in uniform and elite status, the subtitle confirms this figure as belonging specifically to the Swiss contingents attached to Napoleon’s army.
The Swiss regiments held a long-standing and prestigious tradition of foreign military service in France, valued for their discipline, loyalty, and battlefield reliability. Under Napoleon, Swiss units were retained as elite line and grenadier formations, distinct from both French Guard units and the Dutch Guard regiments that served within the Imperial Guard structure after the annexation of the Kingdom of Holland in 1810.
The soldier is shown in active combat posture, musket raised, wearing the characteristic tall bearskin cap with colored plume, dark coat with contrasting facings, white breeches, and full field equipment. The dynamic composition, with advancing troops and fallen figures in the background, emphasizes the intensity of Napoleonic warfare during the Russian campaign period. The careful hand coloring highlights regimental distinctions while maintaining documentary accuracy.
This plate originates from the 1843 Paris publication *Histoire de l’Empereur Napoléon* by P.-M. Laurent de l’Ardèche, illustrated after designs by Horace Vernet and related military artists. While the book was published decades after the events depicted, its plates are regarded as authoritative visual records of Napoleonic uniforms and formations, widely collected by historians, museums, and serious Napoleonic collectors.
For collectors focused on Dutch Guard material, this print is best understood as a complementary piece rather than a Dutch example. It illustrates the broader multinational composition of Napoleon’s forces and the visual parallels between Swiss, Dutch, and other foreign regiments serving the Empire.
Condition report
Good overall condition. Light, even age toning to the paper, minor scattered foxing, and faint handling marks at the margins. Image remains strong and well-preserved. Plate mark visible. No significant tears or restorations observed.
Framing tips
This print presents beautifully in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with a wide off-white or warm cream mat. A slightly deeper mat enhances the dramatic battlefield scene and preserves the visual balance of the generous margins.
Technique
Hand-colored engraving
Maker
After Horace Vernet, Paris, published 1843
