DAVID D'ANGERS | PORTRAIT MEDALLION OF CHARLES NICOLAS FABVIER

Private Collection, United Kingdom

Fabvier was an adventurer in one of the most interesting periods of European history. He had a relatively conventional upbringing, having studied at École Polytechnique and thereafter entering Napoleon’s army. Early in his career he was part of official missions to Constantinople and Persia. He served under Marmont in Spain and later distinguished himself at Borodino and in the War of the Sixth Coalition. On 31 March 1814, he signed the surrender of Paris. Fabvier is perhaps best known for his role in the Greek War of Independence from 1823, shoring up defences, enlisting British support, and participating in the Siege of the Acropolis. He later returned to France and became Ambassador to Constantinople.