Battle of Polotsk 7 October 1812 – Russian Campaign – J. Lapina Paris Postcard No.360 c.1905

Original antique postcard depicting the Battle of Polotsk (Bataille de Polotsk), fought on 7 October 1812, one of the significant engagements of Napoleon’s Russian Campaign. The dramatic night scene — painted by Guesse — shows cavalry charges and infantry fighting under a smoke-filled sky, fires illuminating the chaos of battle across a wide panoramic composition typical of Romantic-era military art.

The reverse caption reads in French, German, and Russian: «GUESSE. Bataille de Polotsk. Battle of Polotzk. Schlacht von Polotzk. Сраженiе при Полоцкѣ, 7-го Октября 1812 г.»

Published by J. Lapina, Imp. Edit. Paris, from the Winter Palace collection series (Palais d’hiver, Зимній Дворецъ СПБ), c.1905. The reverse is blank and unused. Light age toning, front in good condition.