This engraving recorded a highly significant historical event — the International Congress that was held in Vienna in 1814–15. Representatives of all the European states except Turkey took part, while the leading role was played by Russia, Britain and Austria. Among the congress’s very important tasks were the creation of guarantees against Napoleon’s return to power and renewed wars of conquest by France and redividing Europe in favour of the victorious powers. Godefroy engraved the famous historical personalities depicted in the picture — Metternich, Nesselrode, Razumovsky, Wellington, Talleyrand and others — from portraits by Jean-Baptiste Isabey.