The following excerpt from 'On Campaign in the Age of Napoleon- The Art of Keith Rocco', gives the historical background of the print.

Exiled Hungarian nobleman Count Bercheny originally founded the 1st Hussars in 1720. Like many French cavalry regiments with an aristocratic lineage, the 1st Hussars suffered large defections, particularly when General Dumouriez went over to the enemy in 1792. The regiment made up the losses by absorbing various volunteers, and went on to distinguish itself in Italy under Bonaparte in 1796-1797, serving at Mondovi, Lodi, Rivoli, Castiglione, Bassano and Arcole. The boyish Marcellin Marbot – who had to fake a mustache with black wax and substituted a wig for the pig-tails and long tresses of an authentic veteran Hussar – enlisted in the regiment just before Napoleon's return from Egypt. His entertaining account of being initiated into an elite regiment provides insight and humor, particularly in his efforts to ingratiate himself with the veteran clique:

"The clique was made up of all the biggest rogues, but, at the same time, some of the bravest men in the regiment. The members of the clique supported one another against all opposition, particularly in the face of the enemy. They called themselves the Jokers, and recognized one another by a notch cut into the metal of the first button on the right hand row of the pelisse and dolman. The officers were aware of the existence of the clique, but as its worst crimes were limited to the adroit theft of chickens or sheep, or some trick played on the local inhabitants, and as the Jokers were always at the forefront in any action, they turned a blind eye. I was young and feckless, and I longed desperately to belong to this raffish society…but it was in vain that I frequented the salle-d'armes to practice swordsmanship and the use of the pistol and carbine, and that I dug my elbows into anyone who got in my way, or allowed by saber to trail on the ground and tipped by shako over one ear; the members of the clique regarded me as a child and refused to admit me to their society."

Reputedly, from 1792-1801, the regiment fought in 37 battles and over 1000 skirmishes, and the young Marbot, it should be noted, would earn his acceptance by the Jokers!

For other prints by artist Keith Rocco, visit his website at www.keithrocco.com