[1] It depicts the death of the Polish general Józef Poniatowski at the Battle of Leipzig in October 1813.

[2] Recently promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon, Poniatowski was ordered to defend the city of Leipzig during the battle.

He drowned in the River Elster after covering the chaotic attempt to break out following Napoleon's defeat.

[3] Under Napoleon's general leadership he took part in the War of the Fifth Coalition in 1809 and the Invasion of Russia.

His death at Leipzig gave birth to the Napoleonic legend in Poland, which didn't regain its independence until the end of the First World War.