Alexander von KOTZEBUE (Königsberg 1815 - Munich 1889) The Battle of Novi, August 15, 1799 Paper (?) mounted on canvas 30.5 x 47 cm Inscribed on the reverse of the frame and stretcher "Eug. Lami" and "Eugène Lamy". Inscribed on a label on the reverse of the frame "Raffet". (Accidents) On August 15, 1799, the Battle of Novi pitted the Austro-Russian army against the French. This battle marked the end of the first Italian campaign. We recognize Russian infantrymen seen from behind. In the foreground, we see a French dragoon wearing white pants, a green jacket with a red lapel and a plumed helmet. We recognize the bell towers of the town of Novi, north of Genoa in Liguria, Italy (from left to right): the church of San Niccolo, the church of San Andrea in colegiata, the collegiate church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the church of San Pietro and the tower of Novi castle, now in ruins. Our painting is said to be a sketch of the large-format picture of the same subject painted by Alexander Kotzebue between 1852 and 1855. The painting is in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.