On 30 November, 1809, after a tense dinner together, Napoleon announced to Josephine that he was decided on separation. The emperor desired a son who would succeed him and continue the Bonaparte dynasty. In their fifteen years together, Josephine had been unable to provide him with this heir. Upon learning of Napoleon’s decision, the empress suffered a nervous fit and fainted, and had to be carried back to her chambers by Napoleon and Bausset.
This image forms part of our close-up on: Napoleon’s “divorce”.