“It is only when aggression is legitimate that one can expect prodigies of valour.” – Marshal Ney

Known as Le Rougeaud (“red-faced” or “ruddy”) by his men and nicknamed le Brave des Braves (“the bravest of the brave”) by Napoleon, Marshal Ney rose from the ranks to become one of the first 18 Marshals appointed by Napoleon himself. Considered alternately brave and impetuous, foolhardy and devil-may-care, it cannot be denied that he liked to lead from the front and take many of the same risks as those under his command. Our Giants In Miniature figure depicts him as he might have been during the infamous Retreat from Moscow, where he commanded the rearguard who sought to delay the Russian forces so the last remnants of the French army could escape.