Close-ups : 50
-
Close-upA close-up on: Napoleon’s "divorce"Napoleon’s “divorce”, in actual fact an annulment in two parts, was the culmination of more than two years of rumour, intrigue, discussion and negotiation which kept some of the major courts and governments in Europe occupied.
-
Close-upA close-up on: the Treaty of Vienna, 14 October, 1809Following the armistice declared at Znaïm in July, 1809, the Treaty of Vienna (also known as the Treaty of Schönbrunn) formally brought to a close the Franco-Austrian war of 1809, and with it the War of the Fifth Coalition. Signed on 14 October, 1809, and ratified…
-
Close-up210 years ago… the Battle of WagramAfter the setback at Aspern-Essling, Napoleon took six weeks to regroup and to plan how to bring the campaign of 1809 to an end. The ensuing battle of Wagram, with its emphasis on heavy firepower and massive bludgeoning troop movements, was to last two and…
-
Close-upA close up on: the battles of Magenta and Solferino, 1859, towards Italian UnityMagenta and Solferino (June 1859), for their results, are probably Napoleon III’s most successful military campaigns. Not only did they allow France to be the patron of Italian independence and unity and to establish the natural frontiers to the south (through the accession of Savoy…
-
Close-upA close-up on: the Battle of Aspern-EsslingOn 21 and 22 May, 1809, a furiously fought struggle took place between France and Austria on the banks of the Danube around two small towns, Aspern and Essling.
-
Close-upA close-up on: the Suez CanalOn 16 November, 1869, ten years after work began, the Suez Canal was inaugurated. This special close-up traces its roots, the construction of the canal and the various difficulties that Ferdinand de Lesseps, the driving force behind the project, encountered.
-
Close-upA close-up on: Andreas Hofer and the insurrection in the Tyrol, 1809-1810The insurrection of 1809 in the Tyrol is a fascinating episode in the history of Napoleon and the French Empire. A microcosm of what was taking place across Europe during the period, distilled into a very distinct geographical area at a very particular time, the…
-
Close-upA close-up on: the Meeting at ErfurtThe Meeting of Erfurt took place between 27 September and 14 October 1808, in the town of Erfurt in central Germany. Although attended by most of the German sovereigns or their representatives, the event was only ever about two men: Napoleon, Emperor of the French…
-
Close-upA close-up on: Pascal Paoli«The memory of Paoli is sacred for Corsicans. When they hear talk of Napoleon, their hearts fill with pride. But at the name of Paoli, their eyes light up, like those of a son in memory of his noble but departed father.» (Gregorovius).
-
Close-upA close-up on: Joseph Ignaz PleyelIt was in 1807 that Ignaz Pleyel, the famous Austrian composer and Parisian music publisher, founded his famous piano manufactory. We bring you a focus on the composer, his family, his factory and his influence on the world of piano music for more than 150 years.