Josephine in coronation robes

ID: #3671 | TOP 100 | Classicism | People

Date: c. 1807-1808
Medium: oil on canvas
Location: Musée national du Château de Fontainebleau?
Dimensions: 214 x 160

In this detailed painting, we can see Joséphine de Beauharnais, Empress of France and wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. She came from an impoverished noble family, which did not succeed in imparting nobility or elegance to her in her upbringing. Her first husband, Viscount Alexander de Beauharnais, who married her in 1779, was beheaded during the Great French Revolution. Josefína spent several years in a monastery, where she learned aristocratic customs, charm and rules of behavior. After returning to ordinary life, enriched by new experiences, she allowed herself to be supported by financially secure men. Among a number of nobles, she also managed to charm Napoleon, who was six years younger than her, who fell head over heels in love with her and soon took her as his wife. Unfortunately, even after marriage, Josefína continued to expand her acquaintances and extramarital activities, which greatly worried Napoleon. In the period in which this picture was taken (that is, around the imperial coronation, which took place in December 1804), their marriage was in ruins. The final separation took place in 1809. Despite her capricious behavior and inability to provide her second husband with a male heir, Napoleon loved her and spoke of her as such after their separation. Josefína died only a few years later, in 1814.

Gerard painted picture Josephine in coronation robes in c. 1807-1808. Prevailing color of this fine art print is dark and its shape is portrait. Original size is 214 x 160. This art piece is located in Musée national du Château de Fontainebleau?. This image is printed on demand - you can choose material, size and finishing.

François-Pascal Simon, Baron Gerard (1770-1837). French painter. Gérard painted mainly mythological and historical paintings in the neoclassical style, which he took from David, but which he enriched through a dreamy, sometimes mysterious expression. As the court painter of Napoleon and the Bourbons, he created numerous portraits of prominent state and military officials of the empire and monarchy. He also portrayed his friends and relatives abundantly. He can be described as the most popular portraitist of the empire.