A previously unseen preparatory drawing of a young General Napoleon Bonaparte by Antoine-Jean Gros has been rediscovered after more than two centuries and has been put up for auction.
The work is being presented by the Artcurial auction house during its Old Master and 19th Century Drawings sale in Paris, France, on 25th March.
The drawing depicts then General Bonaparte (1769-1821) at the time of the Battle of the Bridge of Arcole and served as a preparatory study for the celebrated painting 'Bonaparte au pont d'Arcole', which is now held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
'General Bonaparte at the Bridge of Arcole' by Antoine-Jean Gros. The drawing is set go on auction on 25 March 2026. Note: Licensed photo. (Artcurial/Newsflash)
The sheet, executed in black pencil with stump work, was estimated at between EUR 200,000 and EUR 300,000 (GBP 170,800 and GBP 256,200).
The sketch was made on 7th December 1796 in Milan during a brief posing session organised by Josephine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), whom Bonaparte had married earlier that year.
At the time, Baron Antoine-Jean Gros (1771-1835) was 25 and Bonaparte was 27. Bonaparte had granted the young painter only a few minutes before returning to the front.
'Bonaparte at the Bridge of Arcole' by Antoine-Jean Gros, 1796. Note: Licensed photo. (Artcurial/Newsflash)
Gros mentioned the general's only sitting in a letter to his mother, confiding that he was given very little time, was unable to choose his colours and had to concentrate solely on the character of the young Corsican's features.
The Battle of the Bridge of Arcole had taken place on 15th November 1796 during the Italian campaign.
During the confrontation, Bonaparte seized a flag and led grenadiers forward under Austrian fire before being knocked down in the marshes.
'Josephine de Beauharnais' by Antoine-Jean Gros, circa 1809. Note: Licensed photo. (Artcurial/Newsflash)
Although the initial assault failed, the image of the general braving death became a powerful tool of propaganda.
The drawing was given directly by Baron Gros to his friend, the Italian neoclassical painter Vincenzo Camuccini (1771-1844).
It has remained within the Camuccini family ever since and had never circulated on the art market before its recent rediscovery among his descendants.
The public will be able to view the drawing during exhibitions held from 20th to 24th March at Artcurial in Paris ahead of the auction on 25th March.
(Joe Golder/Newsflash)