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THIS MONTH'S PAINTING
Episode from the retreat from Russia, by Boissard
In the Salon of 1835, a huge painting caused a sensation. Based on recent history, the dramatic scene was particularly emotional for the viewing public. In the twilight, two dying soldiers and a dead horse lying in the snow symbolise the horror of the retreat from Russia. Gros's pupil, Boissard de Boisdenier, was the author of this heart-rending painting.
NOTA BENE: CHRISTMAS CLOSURE OF THE BIBLIOTHEQUE M. LAPEYRE - FONDATION NAPOLEON
The Bibliothèque M. Lapeyre - Fondation Napoléon will close for Christmas on Monday, 23 December, to reopen on Monday 6 January, 2003, at 1pm.
150 YEARS AGO
At 8pm on 1 December, 1852, at Saint-Cloud, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, in the presence of the the Sénat and the Corps Législatif, received the title of Emperor of the French under the name of Napoleon III, after a referendum which had resulted in 7,824,129 votes in favour of him, 253,149 against, and 63,126 abstentions or spoiled. On 2 December, 1852, the Empire was prolaimed. Louis-Napoléon took the title of Napoléon III, because he considered that the Aiglon, NapoleonI's son, had in fact reigned after being proclaimed Emperor by the Chambres in 1815.
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO
15 Frimaire, An XI (6 December, 1802), the First Consul asked his Minister for Foreign Relations (Ministre des relations extérieurs) to encourage the return of French workers who had gone abroad to find work: "I desire, citizen Minister, that you write to all government agents abroad to inform them that they should incite, encourage and favour the return of French workers who sought work abroad during periods of inactivity of our manufactories in France. Workers from the manufactory in Lyons are in particular to be targeted."
15 Frimaire, An XI (6 December, 1802), sketches of projects for the celebration of the Peace of Amiens and the Law on Religion were exhibited in the Galeries d'Apollon in the Louvre.
17 Frimaire, An XI (8 December 1802), the Archbishop of Paris blessed the four bells in the church Saint-Gervais in a ceremony which had been abolished during the Revolution.
Wishing you an excellent, Napoleonic, week!
Peter Hicks
Historian and Web editor
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THIS WEEK:
Recently published
Terror before Trafalgar, by Tom Pocock
What's on
- Conference: Arms and the Nation: From the Repubblica Cisalpina to the Regno d'Italia (1797-1814)
- Fair: 10th International Napoleonic Fair
- Exhibition: Napoleon and Alexander I in Hildesheim (Germany)
- Exhibition: Jefferson's America and Napoleon's France
- Exhibition: The first Italian Republic, 1802-1805
- Exhibition: Seat of Empire
The monthly titles
- Book of the Month: The Nelson Encyclopedia, Colin White
- This month's picture, Episode from the retreat from Russia, by Boissard
- Article of the Month, The First Italian Campaign: Act Two, by Jacques Jourquin
- In the Collectors Corner, The Emperor's table 'boat', by Auguste
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