PRESS RELEASE:
“Napoleon: Antiquity to Empire will include approximately fifty paintings, sculptures, furniture, works of art and objects that reference classical models and produced a highly personal imperial iconography inspired by the military and diplomatic achievements of Alexander the Great, Julius Cesar and Justinian.
By fusing these with his own extensive study of classical history, Napoleon defined the art and fashion of his Empire through the work of artists, architects and designers chosen to bring his vision of power, permanence and majesty to fruition. The Napoleonic era has a special place in French cultural history, inspiring both his contemporaries and later generations to preserve objects associated with his person with a reverence more commonly associated with religious relics. Notable among the works exhibited are a regal life-size portrait of Napoleon in coronation robes from the studio of Baron Gerard, as well as portraits of Napoleon and Josephine by Appiani, a laurel-crowned marble bust by Denis Chaudet; a relief by Chinard, and sculptures by Bartolini and Righetti – each depicting Napoleon with the classical references that epitomised his public persona. Jacob's Portrait of Prince Camillo Borghese, terracotta busts by Chinard of his step-son Eugène de Beauharnais and brotherin-law Félix Baciocchi, marbles busts of the Emperor's brother Lucien Bonaparte and his wife Alexandrine, Blondel's Portrait of the Maréchale de Beurnonville, wife of one of Napoleon's strongest critics, and an expansive portrait of the Mosselman family by Charles de Boisfremont are among the fine examples of neo-classical portraiture included in the exhibition. The narrative concludes with an investigation into how Napoleon's expropriation of the neo-classical style permeated his court and wider European society through the inclusion of works of art and objects directly associated with his rule and legacy.
The idea for this exhibition originated with Marco Voena, who has had a long-term interest in
Napoleonic imagery and several of the works on display come from his personal collection.
The exhibition will continue in a modified form at the SPERONE WESTWATER GALLERY
in New York. “
More information and photographs of the exhibition here.
Gallery Robilant-Voena, 1st Floor, 38 Dover Street, London
FREE
Langue(s) : English