French Artist 1806 Le Journal Daily newspaper of Wednesday 1 October 1806 Oil on canvas 66 x 55 cm (with frame 85 x 74 cm) On this historic Wednesday, October 1, 1806, the Prussian King Frederick William III. demanded that Napoleon withdraw his troops behind the Rhine. Napoleon refused and took the request as a declaration of war. Subsequently, there were historic battles and engagements as well as profound changes in Europe, e.g. the Continental Blockade.