Celebration of the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon I in Fontainebleau<

by Renaud Hebert

On the occasion of the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, an exceptional auction will be organized by Jean-Pierre Osenat on May 5 and 6 in Fontainebleau.Collectors will find an anthology of paintings and art objects linked to the first emperor of the French.

Almost two hundred years after his disappearance, the figure of Napoleon I continues to fuel the most irrational passions.Between mythification of the historical figure and fascination for the fabulous objects relating to its existence, a real craze accompanies the events devoted to the "small corporal".The Napoleonic heritage is today celebrated by numerous writings, exhibitions and tributes, but also by auctions attracting collectors around the world.

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— Topher.Li Tue Jul 06 21:20:58 +0000 2021

Ceremonial portraits and history paintings

Among the most remarkable lots, amateurs will appreciate a beautiful selection of period paintings representing historical characters or events. Let us quote the portrait of Empress Joséphine carrying the diadem of the coronation decorated with diamonds and emeralds by Jean-Baptiste Regnault (1754-1829), estimated between 80,000 and 120,000 euros. "In this precious set described by the neo-classical painter, the diadem of the Empress shows two imposing branches of diamond laurels meeting above the forehead and based on a flowery strip set with splendid emeralds, a principle of Naturalist composition specific to the Empire style, "describes Karine Huguenaud, head of collections and exhibitions of the Napoleon Foundation. The Empire wooden wood and golden stucco adds to the preciousness of the whole. Also appears to be a portrait of the Empress Joséphine in coronation costume made with black stone with white chalk rehab on bistre paper by François Gérard (1770-1837) and estimated from 40,000 to 50,000 euros. With the portrait, history painting will also be honored. A great drawing appearing the attack of the great convoy bringing the ladies of the court of King Joseph in France by the Guerilleros of General Mina in the parade of Salinas in Biscay by Louis-François Lejeune will be offered at auction (estimated between 80,000 and 100 000 euros). The scene represented by Lejeune, a French general and painter, appears as the synthesis of two battles of 1811 and 1812. The vigor of the clashes found an echo in the torments of a nature agitated by the imminence of a violent storm. Lejeune affirms here his great mastery of history painting, hailed by his contemporaries on the occasion of the Salon of 1819. The universal directory of the exhibition stipulated that "if we considered the value of a Table by the crowd of the curious he attracts, this one would be worth all those in the living room together ”.