In 1871, Ruskin paid 1,000 guineas for Meissonier’s painting of the Emperor Napoleon, Elba-escapee, bidding to regain power, rallying his troops on the Chaussee de Vitry, at the battle of Arcis-sur-Aube, in 1814, because: “It would be difficult to find a more perfect example of the French realistic school than this picture. It is, of course, conventional, and founded on photographic effect. The white horse in reality would have looked like a ghost in the twilight . . . But in its kind it is without rivalship, and I purpose that it shall remain in St. George’s schools – for a monument of War-Sorrow, where war has been unjust.” ... and because he thought the 1870 Franco-Prussian War unjust. Ruskin sold it in 1882 for 5,900 guineas, after asking the artist to copy various details, for teaching purposes.