Napoleon poses triumphantly as Emperor of France, reaching over the Civil Code, the orb and the hand of Justice that rest on the table. He wears the grand collar of the Legion of Honour and holds a sceptre surmounted by the Imperial eagle. Gold bees, associated with the ancient kings of France, decorate his mantle, adding legitimacy to his rule.
In 1812 Girodet was commissioned to paint thirty-six identical portraits of the Emperor. When Napoleon abdicated, twenty-six had been completed and they remained in Girodet’s studio until after the artist’s death.
- TitleNapoleon I in coronation robes
- Object numberB.M.364
- Collection
- Creator
- Production placeFrance
- Production period19th century
- School/styleFrench
- Object name
- Material
- Technique
- Dimensions
- Length: 251 cm
- Width: 179 cm
- Length: With frame 290 cm
- Width: With frame 217 cm