The inauguration of the Suez Canal
Compiègne, musée du Second Empire
In November 1869, the empress Eugénie journeyed to Egypt to preside over the inauguration ceremony of the Suez Canal. As cousin of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the builder of the canal, Eugénie had supported de Lesseps all along this gigantic project, speaking on his behalf to Napoleon III; indeed, de Lesseps was to call Eugénie ‘the canal’s guardian angel’.
In painting, orientalism was very much à la mode and, for once, current affairs followed suite. The ecumencial blessing ceremony took place at Port-Said. Three stands were erected set between the sky, the land and the sea. On the following day, the empress’s vessel led a flotilla down the canal. With hindsight, this was to be one of the last great prestige events of the Second Empire.
The inauguration of the Suez Canal
Artist(s) : RIOU Edouard
