This work was acquired by the Fondation Napoléon in November 2021.
A portrait of the Emperor in his “grand habillement du Sacre” [grand coronation robes]
In 1805, Gerard was commissioned to paint an official portrait of the Emperor in his “grand habillement du Sacre” [grand coronation robes] for the “Hôtel du Ministre des Relations Extérieures” [the Hôtel de Galliffet, a town mansion where Talleyrand officiated as Minister of Foreign Affairs]. Numerous copies of this portrait were made at the artist’s workshop, under the painter’s supervision, destined for every political residence outside France, both diplomatic and consular.
This three-quarter-length version of that portrait shows the Emperor standing in full coronation dress crowned with golden laurels, holding in his right hand a sceptre bearing an eagle and wearing the necklace of the Légion d’Honneur. On the left the hand of justice and a globe surmounted by a cross are placed on a cushion, and behind on the right we can see the Imperial throne [click on links to see details].
![A portrait of the Emperor in his “grand habillement du Sacre” [grand coronation robes]](https://www.napoleon.org/wp-content/thumbnails/uploads/2022/01/workshop-gerard-portrait-habillement-de-sacre-detail-fondation-napoleon-rebecca-young-8613-tt-width-637-height-802-crop-1-bgcolor-ffffff-lazyload-0.jpg)
- Date :
- Early 19th Century
- Technique :
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions :
- H = 168 cm, L = 135 cm
- Place held :
- Collection of the Fondation Napoléon
- Photo credit :
- © Fondation Napoléon / Rebecca Young