L’Empereur en Grand Costume

1804-1815

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Pierre Alexandre Tardieu, Georges Malbeste, and others

L’Empereur en Grand Costume

1804-1815

Physical Qualities Etching, engraving, and stipple, Sheet: 544 x 357 mm. (21 7/16 x 14 1/16 in.) Image: 445 x 242 mm. (17 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.)

Portfolio/Series Plate IX from the book "Livre du sacre de S.M. l'empereur Napoléon dans l'Eglise métropolitaine de Paris le XI Frimaire an XIII, dimanche 2 décembre 1804," by Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine, Charles Percier, and Jean-Baptiste Isabey, eds. (Paris: L'Imprimerie Impériale, 1804-1815)

Credit Line Garrett Collection

Object Number 1984.81.1722

This print hail from a deluxe publication that commemorated the coronation of Emperor Napoleon and Empress Josephine on December 2, 1804, in the Church of Notre Dame in Paris. The book, which took eleven years to produce, involved the collaborative efforts of no less than 20 artists. The second half of the publication was devoted to illustrations, accompanied by detailed descriptions, of the ceremonial costumes designed by Jean Baptiste Isabey and worn by all of the important individuals in attendance. Most sumptuous were the Emperor’s and Empress’s robes, which were decorated with golden bees, Napoleon’s official symbol.

T. Harrison Garrett, Baltimore, purchased 1885 (Lugt supp. 2435b); James L. Claghorn, Philadelphia (Lugt supp. 555c).

BMA, Jacobs rotation, 15 March - 29 June 2010.

Apell, Aloys, Handbuch für Kupferstichsammler, Leipzig: A. Danz, 1880, no. 19. Andresen, Andreas, Handbuch für Kupferstichsammler, Leipzig: T.O. Weigel, 1870-1873, no. 8.

Signed: 1

Inscribed: Recto: in plate, at upper right: "IX"; in plate, at lower left: "Isabey Delint."; in plate, at lower right: "Alexandre Tardieu Sct."; in plate, at lower center: "L'EMPEREUR / en Grand Costume"; in plate, at bottom left: "Dessiné par Percier"; in plate, at bottom right: "Gravé par Malbeste et Dupréel"; at bottom right, in graphite: "3611 [in diamond]" Verso: none

Markings: Verso: Claghorn