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In this week's letter...
We're highlighting two new publications: one is a large illustrated volume about the painter Albrecht Adam, and the other a delightful edition of Empress Marie Louise's journey through Switzerland in 1829, accompanied by watercolours from the period. Our article of the month is about the sacking of the Summer Palace in Beijing in 1860, and there is also a link to Charles Dickens' impressions of Chinese products at the Great Exhibition of 1851, to correspond with the French newsletter's article of the month ‘le monde asiatique' by Jacques Macé. In 200 Years Ago we look at the skirmish near the town of Wriezen, which was a small victory for the Russians, and in 150 Years Ago, the effect of the American Civil War on the French cotton industry. We also have details for you of several upcoming events: there are two talks at the Museo Glauco Lombardi in Parma (Italy) about aspects of Empress Marie Louise's later life as the Duchess of Parma, and an exhibition about Napoleon and his influence on the city of Antwerp at the Museum Aan de Strom in Antwerp (Belgium). We also have some dates for your diary concerning the bicentenary of the battle of Leipzig and the events that will be taking place. In addition to the books we're highlighting this week, there are also several new publications for you to peruse on the right-hand side, including a study of two ships' (Boxer and Enterprise) role in the War of 1812, a study of the politics of Andrew Jackson, and the diary of William Gavin, a British quartermaster from 1806-1815. In our press review section we have two journal articles, one about the politics of state funerals in Britain and France 1806-1810 and another about sculpture in the House of Commons. There's also a Guardian piece about the forthcoming exhibition Napoleon et L'Europe in Paris, for which Nelson's bloodied uniform is leaving Britain for the first time. This week's seen on the web is a piece from the British Library about the collection of George III, and a link to a selection of First Empire wallpaper swatches!
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Recently published
Eugène et Adam: Le Prince et le Peintre, by Riccardo Papi
This book explores the relationship between the Prince Eugène and Albrecht Adam, official painter to his court, and thanks to over four hundred colour illustrations provides a vivid account. The large battle scenes of the Napoleonic wars from 1809-1812 are the focal point of the book, which details historical and geographical context of the works, as well as information on the battle tactics, the uniforms and the various weapons used in combat. The text also relies on contemporary accounts and memoirs to explain and assess the importance of Adam's work.
Diario del Viaggio in Svizzera di Maria Luigia d'Asburgo, edited by Francesca Sandrini
This is a charming edition of the Empress Marie Louise's journey through Switzerland in 1829. The Empress describes her impressions of the countryside and the places she visited and the account is accompanied by numerous contemporary watercolours and prints.
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What's On
Guided Tours - Museo Glauco Lombardi, Parma (Italy)
The museum of Glauco Lombardi, former home of Empress Marie Louise, is holding events throughout 2013. The next ones will be a guided visit looking at Marie Louise's jewellery, and another on her public works.
Bonaparte at the Scheldt - Museum Aan de Strom, Antwerp (Belgium)
An exhibition about Napoleon I and his influence on the city of Antwerp, which had been under French rule since 1794. Under Napoleon, the Willem dock and the Napoleon dock were created, affording greater space and ease of passage for trade ships, and making it an important military port. French influence also extended to the town of Antwerp itself, and the exhibition traces this lasting influence.
Leipzig - dates for your diary
To mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Leipzig and the centenary of the inauguration of the statue commemorating the battle, the German city of Leipzig is holding a series of events, exhibitions and reenactments, starting with the opening of a Panorama of the battle ‘Leipzig 1813 - In the Tumult of the Battle of the Nations' on 20 July, and culminating in a week of events from 17-20 October.
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150 Years Ago
For the whole week of 15 - 21 February, 1863, Le Moniteur published two appeals nearly side by side concerning the cotton crisis generated by the American Civil War, which had blocked the export of the textile to Europe. On one side were details of subscriptions “for the unemployed workers in the departments where the cotton industry has been affected”. Donations were published in lists, amongst which were those of Désiré Dalloz, lawyer and former deputy, the director of direct contributions of the department of the Meurthe, a region hit by the crisis, and also of the apprentices under the aegis of the Sociéte de patronage des ouvriers et apprentis israélites de Paris. On the same page of Le Moniteur, the Compagnie française des cotons algériens (the French Algerian Cotton Company) proposed issuing 25, 000 shares and promised high profitability, with a revenue of 11%.
200 Years Ago
On 17 February, 1813 Russian troops under Chernichev attacked and abducted Westphalian troops stationed at Wriezen, north-west of Berlin. News reached Prince Eugène on 18 February and reports stated that the Westphalian battalion, buoyed by a sense of nationalism that the actions of General Yorck had inspired, were reluctant to engage in combat with the Russians who were perceived to be liberating Germany. Under the impression that the Russians were swiftly advancing from the left, Eugène quickly sent his troops to defend Berlin.
Wishing you an excellent "Napoleonic" week,
Peter Hicks and Andrew Miles
Historians and web editors
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N0 658, 15-21 FEBRUARY, 2013
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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 the prolongation of its 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
You can still donate online to the project via the Friends of the Fondation de France in the US here
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MAGAZINE
Just Published
- The Age of Jackson 1815-1848: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic, by William Nester
- The Diary of William Gavin, Ensign and Quartermaster of the 71st Highland Regiment, 1806-1815, by William Gavin, ed. Gareth Glover
- Knights of the Sea: The True Story of the Boxer and the Enterprise and the War of 1812, by David Hanna
Seen on the web (external links)
- George III's Collection at the British Library
- First Empire wallpaper samples
Press Review
- 'Nelson's Trafalgar Uniform to move into the Heart of Enemy Territory - Paris'
- Public commemorations and private interests: the politics of state funerals in London and Paris 1806-1810, by Evelyne G. Brouwers
- Whose heroes? The House of Commons, its commemorative sculptures and the illusion of British patriotism, 1795-1814, by Evelyne G. Bouwers
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.
Talks
- I gioielli di Maria Luigia (Marie Louise's Jewellery) [Parma, Italy, 02/03/2013]
- Maria Luigia: le opere pubbliche di una duchessa munifica (Marie Louise: The public works of a generous Duchess) [Parma, Italy, 14/02/2013]
Exhibitions
- Bonaparte at the Scheldt [Antwerp, Belgium, 23/03/2013 - 28/06/2013]
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- Painting of the month
- Objet d'Art of the month
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