A glance at history.
This could have been the title for this exhibition when it opens
this year all over Europe, and in particular in Italy. The commemorations of the bicentenary of the
Napoleonic epic will certainly not conclude until...2021!
Should we have heaped praise on the great man? Certainly, but it was possible to do so while
presenting his darker legend. Using its own collection to which was added
several items from various institutions in France, Switzerland or from private
collectors, the Malmaison Museum has chosen to commemorate the Emperor through
caricature.
Jérémie Benoit, one of the museum's curators, was charged with organizing
this exhibition. His task-which he performed with great ability considering the extent
of European caricature production- was to pick a selection of works which, despite being
sometimes funny and often cruel, illustrated the darker sides of the legend which was
pinned to one who always unleashed passions.
Bernard Chevallier
Senior curator of the Malmaison and
Bois-Préau National Museum.
Anti-Napoléon
Acknowledgements
Introduction
The diffusion of the caricature
Bibliography