JACK FROST attacking BONY in Russia (NAPOLEON 135)

This drawing shows Jack Frost on the back of the bear (symbol of Russia), hurling snowballs at a fleeing Napoleon, whose hat has been knocked off. The scene takes place during a raging blizzard, where the snow is blowing towards Napoleon, pushing him away from Russia. Napoleon holds onto his nose to protect it from frostbite. The angry bear breathes a "northern blast" that sears Napoleon's back. In the background you see Tsar Alexander standing strong, pointing to Napoleon to leave. Three grinning Cossacks watch Napoleon leave from another mound of snow, their spears smoking. Fur-capped Russian troops are shown in front of the city of Petersbourgh, standing at attention with spears raised. The French troops are huddled around a fire of sticks labeled Moscow. As implied, Napoleon's advance into Russia was defeated more by the bitter winter weather than it was by the Russian soldiers. When he arrived in Moscow, it had been intentionally destroyed by fire, leaving his troops no shelter against the winter storms. Because of the lack of shelter and the difficulty of maintaining supply lines over such a long distance, the French were forced to retreat.

Reference source: George #11918.

Also found in the De Vinck Collection (# 8790) at the Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris).

Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815; Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825