Napoleon on his deathbed
Private collection
In his youth, Horace Vernet was soaked in the Napoleonic epic and its dreams of glory, and following in the family tradition he very soon chose a career as a history painter. During the Restoration, his studio was a haven for those nostalgic for the emperor, and he too revealed his own fervent admiration for Napoleon in his paintings, which themselves in fact contributed to the propagation of the legend. This small picture, moving in its simplicity, concentrates on the dead Emperor’s face. The laurel wreath is the only obvious sign that this is not so much posthumous homage but rather a painting of glorification.
K.H. tr. P.H.
For further information on these works, consult the versions which appear in the ‘In pictures’ section.
Crédits : RMN, CGFA, The Artchive, Fondation Napoléon.