Napoléon at Fontainebleau, 31 March 1814, painted in 1840 Paul Delaroche 19th Century Framed Vintage Print
20.5in x 26in
In a small apartment room at the Palace of Fontainebleu, Napoleon sits slumped in a chair, alone and out of shape. Disappointment and anger can be read on his face. His downfall is looming, the destruction of his empire has been decided and the monarchy will soon be restored.
Hippolyte Paul Delaroche (1797-1856) was one of
the most famous painters of the mid-nineteenth
century, with patrons throughout Europe and
beyond. Although the first of his portraits of
Napoleon was produced over twenty years after his
exile from Europe, (and Delaroche was barely an
adult at the time of Waterloo) the verisimilitude of
his portraits was attested by people who had seen
the Emperor in his prime. Nineteenth-century
patrons could not believe that the artist had not
actually set eyes upon his mighty model, but there is
no evidence that he had. Delaroche physically
resembled Napoleon, and identified with his plight;
the mood of this portrait, a replica of the original,
the most famous painters of the mid-nineteenth
century, with patrons throughout Europe and
beyond. Although the first of his portraits of
Napoleon was produced over twenty years after his
exile from Europe, (and Delaroche was barely an
adult at the time of Waterloo) the verisimilitude of
his portraits was attested by people who had seen
the Emperor in his prime. Nineteenth-century
patrons could not believe that the artist had not
actually set eyes upon his mighty model, but there is
no evidence that he had. Delaroche physically
resembled Napoleon, and identified with his plight;
the mood of this portrait, a replica of the original,