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THIS WEEK'S LETTER
It's raining articles in this week's letter: as well as announcing the latest issue of Napoleonica. La Revue, the Fondation's academic, multidisciplinary, international review, and our first selection taken from it, we also have our new article of the month, which discusses the insurrection in the Tyrol between 1809 and 1810 and the role played by Andreas Hofer. We also have some information on the revamp of our powerful and extremely useful library catalogue, which is available online, allowing you to plan your visit to the Bibliothèque Martial-Lapeyre or simply investigate what is available in terms of both articles and books. Bringing up the rear are details on two recent exhibitions taking place in Melbourne, Australia, and Williamstown, MA (USA), as well as our intriguingly symmetrical 200 and 150 years ago, which this week both feature war between France and Austria. Don't forget either to have a look at our Magazine on the right hand side, where you'll find the latest exhibition, conference and event listings, as well as our press review and seen on the web section.
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ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
"Andreas Hofer and the insurrection in the Tyrol, 1809-1810"
Our new article of the month forms part of our close-up on: Andreas Hofer and the insurrection in the Tyrol, 1809-1810, which we announced last week. The insurrection is a fascinating, yet little-known episode in the history of the First Empire, effectively presenting a microcosm of the many ideological and practical concerns felt as a result of Napoleon's domination of Western and Mediterranean Europe. The figure of Andreas Hofer is also an interesting one; as is often the case with revolutionaries, the history of his involvement has become interweaved with legend, myth and exaggeration, and he has, to a certain extent, taken on a symbolic role in the Tyrolean 'national' identity.
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NAPOLEON.ORG
New library catalogue online
The online library catalogue has been updated!
The some 10,000 books and articles on the First and Second Empires are now even easier to find, with a new interface that makes any search much quicker, more accurate and far more effective. There are three types of search available to the user:
"Recherche simple"/"quick search"
Using the author's surname (with or without first name), the user can bring up all the articles and books available by this author. If the surname is not found, a list of the closest possible matches is suggested. The user can also search the catalogue using keywords (title, notes or abstract). The results are displayed in list form, detailing the books and articles that correspond to the search criteria. Secondary searches can also be launched by clicking on the name of a second author or a subject word.
"Recherche avancée"/"advanced search"
Using various different criteria, the user can perform a more detailed search of the catalogue: as well as author and keywords, the search criteria also include editor, date of publication or even a date period.
"Recherche thématique"/"Thematic search"
The user can browse the many articles and books available in the catalogue based on the different publication languages (other than French), including English, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.
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NAPOLEONICA. LA REVUE
Issue n° 4 available online now
The first Napoleonica. La Revue of 2009 is now available online, and includes articles by Cédric Itasse ("Les marriages de la Rosière"), Irène Perret ("Réception critique de Napoléon sur le Champ de Bataille d'Eylau d'Antoine-Jean Gros, sous le Ier Empire") and Peter Hicks ("The napoleonic «Police», or «Security State» in context"), as well as a number of others. For our first selection from issue n° 4, we suggest you take a look at Yves Bruley's article, "The Napoleonic diplomatic corps", which discusses Napoleon's diplomacy, his ambassadors, and the role played by the Ministère des Relations extérieures in European diplomatic affairs. The article can be purchased individually for 7 € or you can take out an annual subscription for 60 €, which will cover you for all the articles and issues that appear this year.
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EXHIBITIONS
"The Satirical Eye: comedy and critique from Hogarth to Daumier"
This exhibition, taking place at the National Gallery of Victoria International, Melbourne (Australia), presents the Golden Age of satirical prints and drawings in Europe, focusing on the period 1730–1870. William Hogarth's images of London street life, with all its chaos and transgressions, set the stage for the next generation of English satirists including Thomas Rowlandson, James Gillray and George Cruikshank. Their audacious prints range from political satires that were aimed directly at prominent public figures, to scenarios that highlight fashions, fads and social manners as subjects of mockery. Because these prints reached a wide audience, they were a catalyst for gossip and debate, and influenced the public's views on issues of the day.
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"Second Empire Paris: History and Modernity"
Printmakers and photographers, like all Parisians, were fascinated by the dramatic changes taking place in Paris during the 1850s and 1860s. "Second Empire Paris: History and Modernity", on view at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts (USA), from 25 April through to 21 June, 2009, features six photographs and six prints capturing the radical changes to the architecture and infrastructure of Paris at that time. The prints and photographs are drawn from the Clark collection and the Collection of the Troob Family Foundation.
200 YEARS AGO
Ratisbon falls to Napoleon
Archduke Charles' invasion of Bavaria on 10 April had caught Napoleon slightly unawares. It was not until the battle of Eckmühl on 21 and 22 April, where troops under Lefebvre and Davout defeated their Austrian counterparts, that Napoleon was able to seize back the initiative. As French troops advanced north, Archduke Charles retired back towards Ratisbon, arriving at around 11pm on 22 April. He had lost nearly 11,000 men at Eckmühl.
The city of Ratisbon belonged to the Prince Primate of the Confederation of the Rhine, Carl Theodor von Dalberg, but under Austrian control had been refortified in preparation for the French attack. Intent on pursuing the Austrians and hammering home his advantage, Napoleon was not prepared to wait around and mount a lengthy siege. Instead, arriving before the gates on 23 April, he ordered troops under the command of Maréchal Lannes to storm the walls. The first advance came up against a resolute Austrian defence, but eventually a small breach in the wall was made by the incessant French artillery-fire. Two attempts to push through the breach were repulsed. On a third call for volunteers, Lannes, faced with unwillingness on the part of his troops, seized a ladder in fury and cried: "I shall show you that before becoming a Maréchal, I was a grenadier, and I still am one." His subordinate officers were forced to restrain him as he made for the walls. His troops, shamed by their reluctance, surged forward into the breach and the city quickly became overwhelmed by French troops. The Austrian battalion within the city walls was forced to surrender. By 4pm, the city was under French control.
The Battle of Ratisbon is also remembered for the wound that Napoleon received. Personally overseeing the attacks, a stray bullet glanced off the French Emperor's heel. Although the injury was minor, it still needed dressing and concern quickly spread through the French ranks. Having been seen to by his surgeon, Napoleon lost no time in remounting his horse and riding to his nearest units, putting an end to the rumours and inspiring his troops onwards.
150 YEARS AGO
Italian affairs: preparations for war
Russia's proposed congress on the state of affairs in Italy was not to take place. Not only did Austria refuse the proposition of a general disarmament, but the emperor, Franz Joseph I Karl, also issued an ultimatum to Piedmont to disarm within three days, which was reported by the Moniteur on 23 April, 1859:
"The Austrian government addressed a direct communication to the Sardinian government, inviting it to disarm its army and stand down its volunteers. [...] [The officer delivering the communication] was instructed to inform the [Sardinian] government that it had three days to issue a response, and that any attempt to delay matters would be considered a refusal." [Le Moniteur universel, 23 April, 1859]
In his entry for 22 April, 1859, the Comte Horace de Viel Castel also commented on the French war preparations.
"Canrobert will take command of the first corps of the army, Maréchal Malakof is returning from London where he will be replaced by Persigny, and Maréchal Magnan will leave with the Emperor, who will be the commander in chief.
Yesterday, Princess Clothilde remarked to Prince Jerome [the Prince Napoleon, cousin of Napoleon III]:
« We shall all lament the Emperor's departure from Paris, leaving behind such a young Prince Imperial in such a critical situation. The Emperor's physical distance [from Paris] is a terrible thing, but your duty, she said, addressing her husband, lies with the army. Your place is there, and you should leave promptly. »"
The count finished his entry praying for victory:
"Last night a large number of troops left for Lyon by rail. Yet more are still to leave. In a few days, the first strike will be felt. We have but one prayer left to say: may God protect France and the Emperor!" [Mémoires sur le règne de Napoléon III 1851-1864, 22 April, 1859, pp.744-745]
Wishing you an excellent "Napoleonic" week,
Hamish Davey Wright
Historian and web-editor
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N° 494, 17 - 23 April 2009
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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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THE BIBLIOTHEQUE FONDATION NAPOLEON LIBRARY
Spring opening times:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 1pm-6pm
Thursday: 10am-3pm
(Closed Friday)
THE MAGAZINE
Book of the month
- La Mort de Napoléon: Mythes, Légendes et Mystères
Press review
- Book review: Beaumarchais: a biography
- The National Bureau of Economic Research: "The Consequences of Radical Reform: The French Revolution" by Daron Acemoglu, Davide Cantoni, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson
Seen on the web (all links are external)
- Guides 1815: guided tours of Waterloo battlefield
Fondation Napoléon History Prizes 2008
- Francis and Madeleine Ambrière, Talma, ou l'histoire du théâtre
- Alain Decaux, Coup d'état à l'Elysée
- Edgardo Donati, La Toscana nell'impero napoleonico
Fondation Napoléon news
- Fondation Napoléon Research Grants 2008
WHAT'S ON
Conferences
- "Breaking Boundaries: the 1790s in Germany, France and Britain. Revolution, Liberation and Excess", London (UK), 22-24 April, 2009
- "Civilians and War in Europe, c. 1640-1815", Liverpool (UK), 18-20 June, 2009
- Australian Napoleonic Congress, Goulburn (Australia), 31 October - 1 November, 2009
Talks
- "Romantic surgery, radical politics and revolutionary bodysnatching", London (UK), 30 April, 2009
Commemorations
- 213th anniversary of the Cherasco armistice
- Annual May Ceremony in the British Cemetery
- Bicentennial commemoration of the death of Maréchal Lannes
- French presence in South Africa
Re-enactments
- Znaim 1809 bicentenary re-enactment, Znojmo and Dobšice (Czech Republic), 11-12 July, 2009
- Bivouac and the Battle of Oostmalle, Oostmalle (Belgium), 5-6 September, 2009
Exhibitions
- "The Satirical Eye: comedy and critique from Hogarth to Daumier", Melbourne, Australia [27/02/2009 - 26/07/2009]
Full details
- "Second Empire Paris: History and Modernity", Williamstown, USA [25/04/2009 - 21/06/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon and Corsica", Corte, France [20/06/2009 - 30/12/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon and Eugenie", Roslyn Harbor, USA [07/06/2009 - 07/09/2009]
Full details
- "The Plains of Mars: European War Prints, 1500—1825, from the Collection of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation", Houston, USA [08/02/2009 - 10/05/2009]
Full details
- "Imperial Splendour", Manderen, France [15/03/2009 - 31/08/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon, Commander, Emperor and Genius", Schallaburg, Germany [16/05/2009 - 01/11/2009]
Full details
- "Waldmüller (1793-1865)", Paris, France [26/02/2009 - 18/05/2009]
Full details
- "William Blake (1757-1827): the visionary genius of English Romanticism", Paris, France [02/04/2009 - 28/06/2009]
Full details
- "Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)", Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [29/04/2009 - 05/07/2009]
Full details
- "Ingres and the Moderns", Quebec City, Canada [05/02/2009 - 31/05/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon, genius and despot", Saarlouis, Germany [25/01/2009 - 10/05/2009]
Full details
- "Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet and the origins of the Napoleonic legend", Boulogne-Billancourt, France [05/03/2009 - 27/06/2009]
Full details
- Imperial painter: Pietro Benvenuti at the court of Napoleon and the Lorenas, Florence, Italy [10/03/2009 - 21/06/2009]
Full details
- "Romania on the road to modernity: 150 years since the unification of the principalities under Prince Cuza", Bucharest, Romania [22/01/2009 - 24/05/2009]
Full details
- "Coinage at War. Catalonia in Napoleonic Europe", Barcelona, Spain [04/06/08 - 03/05/09]
Full details
- "The Crinoline Empire (1852-1870)", Paris, France [29/11/2008 - 26/04/2009]
Full details
- "Ben Weider Collection at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts", Montreal, Canada [Permanent]
Full details
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