Image of Alexander I against the backdrop of the Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army: interpretation of French newspapers

The aim of this work is to identify how the Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army of 1813-1814 was reflected in the pages of French newspapers published during its execution. The author examines the evolution of French journalists' perception of Alexander I – from criticism to admiration. Special attention is paid to the Christian representations of the Russian emperor and the opposition between the personal qualities of Alexander I and Napoleon in the French press. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that, for the first time, the image of Alexander I in French newspapers during the 1813-1814 period is reconstructed. As a result of analyzing newspaper publications, the article demonstrates that the French press underwent a radical shift in presenting the Russian emperor to its readers. Initially, his alleged weaknesses were emphasized, but subsequently his resilience, magnanimity, peacekeeping aspirations, and humanity came to the fore. When Alexander I's victory over Napoleon was near, French journalists shaped an image of the Russian emperor as a defender of peace in Europe. At the same time, French newspapers presented Napoleon to their readers as a threat to the peace and prosperity of all European nations.