From 26 to 29 November 1812, the remains of the Grand Army crossed the Berezina on two pile bridges, built under the command of General Eble. This painting recalls this episode and focuses on the loss of almost all of the cavalry and artillery teams in this campaign. Napoleon, in order to launch the German 1813 campaign, had to requisition and purchase nearly 77,000 horses and also gather many riding and draft horses from Italy and Spain.