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NORTH AMERICA...
... is a predominant feature in our letter this week. The Fondation Napoléon is always keen to explore the wider influence and impact that the histories of the First and Second Empires had and continue to have outside of Europe, and this week we have details of a talk on European involvement in the American Civil War from Amanda Foreman, author of World On Fire, as well as news of two new art exhibitions in New York, which feature works by Delacroix, David, Prud'hon, Ingres, and Géricault. Continuing the American theme is our text for 150 years ago, which sees Plon-Plon finally return to Paris after his sojourn across the Atlantic. We also have our new book of the month, in which Alison McQueen explores Eugenie's role as patron of the arts and private collector during the Second Empire, and a whole host of book reviews and articles from the French History journal and the Reviews in History website. We close the letter with a link to Risorgimento teaching resources offered by the History Today website, plus 200 years ago, which retraces Napoleon's tour of the empire's northern territories.
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BOOK OF THE MONTH
Empress Eugénie and the Arts, by Alison McQueen
Reconstructing Empress Eugénie's position as a private collector and a public patron of a broad range of media, this study is the first to examine Eugénie (1826–1920), whose patronage of the arts has been overlooked even by her many biographers. The empress's patronage and collecting is considered within the context of her political roles in the development of France's institutions and international relations. Empress Eugénie and the Arts: Politics and Visual Culture in the Nineteenth Century also examines representations of the empress, and the artistic transformation of a Hispanic woman into a leading figure in French politics. From her self-definition as empress through her collections, to her later days in exile in England, art was integral to Eugénie's social and political position.
On the French side, the new book of the month is Napoléon, Empereur de l'Île d'Elbe, by Marie-Hélène Baylac.
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WHAT'S ON
French art at the Morgan Library, New York
Two complementary art exhibitions recently opened at the Morgan Library in New York: "David, Delacroix, and Revolutionary France: Drawings from the Louvre" and "Ingres at the Morgan". Both focus on French artists who were active during the late 18th century and into the 19th century, straddling revolution, republics, empires, and monarchies. The "David, Delacroix, and Revolutionary France: Drawings from the Louvre" exhibition features a number of loans from the Louvre and as a result is an excellent and rare opportunity to view works of art from renowned artists such as David, Prud'hon, Ingres, Géricault, Delacroix, and Corot outside of their famous Parisian confines.
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National Army Museum talks: "A World on Fire, with Amanda Foreman"
As America descended into civil war, British loyalties were torn between support for the North, which was against slavery, and defending the South, which portrayed itself as bravely fighting for its independence. Rallying to their respective causes, thousands of Britons went to America as soldiers - fighting for both Union and Confederacy. Amanda Foreman, author of A World On Fire, will be giving a talk on the subject at the National Army Museum in London on 20 October, at 7pm.
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SEEN ON THE WEB
History Today: Risorgimento teaching resources online
2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the Risorgimento and History Today has recently uploaded a whole host of resources, aimed at history students and teachers, which retell the event. The website features a number of articles, taken from the History Today archives, which focus on - amongst other subjects - Garibaldi's role in the Risorgimento, the unification process, and the impact a desire for cultural unity had on events. There are also historical dictionary entries for Camillo di Cavour, the Young Italy movement, and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
200 YEARS AGO
Napoleon in the Low Countries
In mid-September Napoleon had set off on a tour of northern France and the Low Countries. Whilst in Belgium and Holland (the latter had been annexed to the French empire in July 1810), the French emperor visited a number of fortifications, including Antwerp and Vlissingen, before proceeding on to Utrecht on 6 October. With preparations for the Russian campaign advancing at a pace, the security of the empire's western coastline, particularly following the debacle at Walcheren, was of paramount concern. However, with Marie-Louise joining Napoleon at the end of September, the imperial couple still found time to enjoy themselves, visiting Amersfoort and the Moravian Church in Zeist on 8 October. And, in conclusive proof that even in his time off, Napoleon's thoughts were still on the forthcoming clash with Russia, on 12 October he toured the house in Zaandam that once belonged to Peter the Great.
150 YEARS AGO
Plon-Plon returns to Paris
After nearly four months away from France and over six thousand leagues travelled overall, the Prince Napoléon, Napoleon III's cousin who was also known as Plon-Plon, arrived back in Paris at 11pm on 10 October, 1861. His journey away, prompted by Masonic scandals and a run in with the Duc d'Aumale, had seen him tour the northern Canadian territories, endure a horrendously awkward interview with Abraham Lincoln, and visit both Union and Confederate camps as the Civil War escalated. Indeed, unlike many in Europe - including Napoleon III - Plon-Plon returned from the States convinced of the righteousness of the northern states' cause, and proceeded to make his views known to the French emperor. Such was the Plon-Plon's conviction that he is credited with influencing Napoleon III in the latter's decision not to recognise the Confederate government.
Wishing you an excellent "Napoleonic" week,
Peter Hicks & Hamish Davey Wright
Historians and web-editors
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N° 598, 7 – 13 OCTOBER, 2011
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© This Napoleon.org weekly bulletin is published by the Fondation Napoléon. Reproduction or all or part of this bulletin is forbidden, without prior agreement of the Fondation Napoléon.
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OPERATION ST HELENA
The Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien, in association with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have announced an international fund-raising campaign to restore and save Napoleon I's residence on the island of St Helena. All the details regarding the campaign as well as donation forms and advice for donating from outside France, can be found on napoleon.org.
FONDATION NAPOLEON ON THE WEB
Each week we offer you a "mystery" link to somewhere on napoleon.org. Click on the link to discover a part of the website you might not have visited before...
MAGAZINE
Seen on the web
- History Today: online Risorgimento teaching resources
EVENTS
On now and coming up
A selection of events taking place now or in the coming weeks, taken from our What's on listings.
Conferences
- "Théophile Gautier et le Second Empire", Compiègne, France [13/10/2011 - 15/10/2011]
Full details
Exhibitions
- "David, Delacroix, and Revolutionary France: Drawings from the Louvre", New York, USA [23/09/2011 - 31/12/2011]
Full details
- "Ingres at the Morgan", New York, USA [09/09/2011 - 27/11/2011]
Full details
Talks
- "A World on Fire, with Amanda Foreman", London, UK [20/11/2012]
Full details
NAPOLEON.ORG
The best of the month:
- Book of the month
- Painting of the month
- Objet d'Art of the month
- Article of the month
NAPOLEONICA.LA REVUE
Available free on Cairn.info
NAPOLEONICA ARCHIVES ONLINE
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