We have a long weekend here in Wellington and as tradition demands the weather has been completely awful, so I've been hard at it again on the Grenadiers. They're not quite ready for their photoshoot, however, so as promised I have a new Marshal to show off instead.
Sharp-eyed readers of this blog will have noted, I'm sure, that my fusiliers were lacking a regular commander. At Dappol they had to make do with a hastily recruited Alberken Marshal Ney, still in his 1960s factory paintjob, which may account for their strange reluctance to become engaged. Moreover, a persistent rumour, despite furious denials by Imperial Headquarters, that they ran away from the Lützowers has left the Emperor with no choice but to find another marshal to command them. He is none other than André Masséna, Duke of Rivoli and Prince of Essling.
The terror of the Austrians in his prime, Masséna was well passed his "best before" date in 1813/14, which is the period around which I've rather loosely based my armies, but I couldn't leave such a splendid figure out of the order of battle. He's a really lovely David Clayton version of Hinton Hunt FN 356: Marshal Massena, in marshal's uniform. He's basically the same figure as FN 355: Marshal Davout, but with his hat on.
We'll see what the fusiliers make of him....
Next post: Grenadiers, I promise.
WM
Sharp-eyed readers of this blog will have noted, I'm sure, that my fusiliers were lacking a regular commander. At Dappol they had to make do with a hastily recruited Alberken Marshal Ney, still in his 1960s factory paintjob, which may account for their strange reluctance to become engaged. Moreover, a persistent rumour, despite furious denials by Imperial Headquarters, that they ran away from the Lützowers has left the Emperor with no choice but to find another marshal to command them. He is none other than André Masséna, Duke of Rivoli and Prince of Essling.
The terror of the Austrians in his prime, Masséna was well passed his "best before" date in 1813/14, which is the period around which I've rather loosely based my armies, but I couldn't leave such a splendid figure out of the order of battle. He's a really lovely David Clayton version of Hinton Hunt FN 356: Marshal Massena, in marshal's uniform. He's basically the same figure as FN 355: Marshal Davout, but with his hat on.
We'll see what the fusiliers make of him....
Next post: Grenadiers, I promise.
WM
Yay! He's one of my favourite Marshals and IMO probably the best general of the lot, although past his prime in 1814/5. His avarice always seemed to make him more human to me and who wouldn't take their best squeeze with them if they could (see David's Massena on Miniature Minions)? Always fancied doing him in 1809 in his carriage with his son Prosper as an aide de camp.
ReplyDeleteI would too if I could get the carriage, Rob.
DeleteThat is a fun vignette indeed. In the carriage is Messena's mistress in her full hussar uniform. Thanks to Dick Tennant for that one! He has a lot of the scenic type pieces in the collection. Right now I am working on the pontoon train! https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmgAFFw_UaU/XM2aXXGjJqI/AAAAAAAADUE/Gbe7emS2n2kFUz4MuYaeVwFtUTNsj-m0ACEwYBhgL/s320/1.b%2BMassena%2BStaff.JPG
DeleteHe needs a carriage to cart all his ill-gotten gains about, David. Dick's little Massena vignette is utterly glorious.
DeleteWonderful job, love the "Best before"...waiting for the grenadiers now!
ReplyDeleteCheers Phil. I'm also waiting for the Grenadiers, who are looking at me accusingly on he painting table wondering what the hold up is. Blunt brush and lumpy white Humbrol paint are the main issues at the moment.
DeleteCan I just clarify the gesture his free hand is making? The fusiliers should definitely follow him as there will be great prospects for looting. Another superb piece of painting, WM.
ReplyDeleteYes, I wondered about that, Archduke. I think he may possibly be engaged in stealing apples.
DeleteAlways a treat to see your latest from the painting bench!
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
He's the last of my secret stash of "ones I painted earlier", so it really will have to be the Grenadiers in the next post, Stokes.
DeleteA very suitable leader for the Fusiliers! The detailing on all of the gold is particularly nice. I find gold paint is one of the more difficult to get to behave, as thinned down it really doesn't pop, and un-thinned is gloppy. Finding the right balance is always tricky for me, but you appear to have nailed it.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Dave. I've actually abandoned Humbrols for the brassy bits. The last two tins I bought consisted of dull, yellowish flakes sitting at the bottom of the most appalling green sludge-like medium. They were completely unusable. I'm having to eke out a tin of Revell brass enamel at the moment. I'll need to put in a order for more quite soon, I think.
DeleteVery nice Matthew, Massena is one I have yet to try...
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be no end to them, Ian! I must have painted about 30 generals now, but there are loads left.
DeleteYet another lovely miniature Matthew...
ReplyDeleteI do like command figures... all that lovely bling to paint, and of course you also get to paint the ADC’s.
All the best. Aly
Why it should seem like a "reward" to be painting such difficult and intricate figures used to be completely beyond me when I was a lad, Aly, but get it now!
DeleteAh yes, ADCs. This has seemed like a bit of a chore too many to date, particularly as cavalry officers were not a strongpoint of the early ranges. I've been building up a small stash of spare troopers, however, so I may get round to converting a few eventually.
Vive André, prince d'Essling!
ReplyDeleteYou have done him proud Matt--still looking pretty vigorous too; *and* with both eyes functioning, haha!!
*Laughter*. Yes he does, although I thought long and hard about giving him an eyepatch, James. I desisted on the grounds that the effect would have been altogether too piratical!
Delete