Napoleon’s shotgun, signed Jean Le Page (detail)

Napoleon was dangerously short-sighted. To read or work, he easily compensated for this handicap with glasses. But when hunting, it was better not to be too close to his rifle. So that he would not miss his target, his servants had to make sure that potential targets stayed very close to him. Accidents were not always avoided, however. One day, Marshal Masséna was hit in the eye by a piece of lead shot fired by the Emperor causing him intense pain. Instead of apologising, Napoleon then accused Berthier of having mis-fired. No one dared to contradict him. (P. Branda, extract from Secrets de Napoléon, Librairie Vuibert, 2014)

Discover Napoleon’s shotgun, one of the masterpieces of the Fondation Napoléon’s collection.

November 2020