Napoleon Bonaparte remains one of the rare historical figures to gain a true global celebrity status, thanks in large part to his historic personality, tragic depravity and scandal. He rose rapidly during the French Revolution, driven by the strategic mind of razors, and he became a general at the age of 24. Despite his youth, his early victory in Italy and his victory against Austria turned him into a national hero. He was a military genius and ruthless political operator, mainly reshaping Europe by force: in 1799 he staged an 18 Brumar coup and played the role of the French First Consul. By 1804, he was crowned the emperor and effectively ended the Republic. Apart from strategy, Napoleon learned from the very beginning the power of image, utilizing media, art and rhetoric to shape his myths, and embed himself into collective imaginations to become a modern idol.
His life and legacy continues to create a long shadow on global imagination, exacerbating stable books and films, including the stylized epic of Ridley Scott Napoleon This dramatizes his rapid rise and dramatic fall. Sotheby's plays this obsession, preparing to auction one of the most comprehensive Napoleon collections ever so that the collection can enter the market. The sale is drawn from the Trove (all authority of Bonaparte) of Pierre-Jean Chalençon, Pierre-Jean Chalençon, which will be conducted on June 25 at the Sotheby's Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré location on Sotheby's Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré location on Sotheby's Rue, Paris.
Chalençon was very passionate about Napoleon, buying his first emperor artifact at the age of 18 and gathering a remarkable collection over the next forty years, traced the life of Le Petit Capital. The result is a very complete archive, beginning with Napoleon's childhood and through his military victory, crowning and ultimately exile to St. Helena. “All materials are auctioned with proof that you can only dream of: Napoleon, Josphine, Mary Louise, Imperial Family, etc.,” Sotheby's head of Paris sales told Observer. “Now, at a time when Napoleon's interest is at its highest level in history, its appearance offers collectors an excellent opportunity to gain their own French history.”
The outstanding items (many of them featured in exhibitions around the world – Occupy Times, capturing both the grandeur of the Napoleon Empire and the fragility behind the myth. One of them is one of Napoleon's iconic double hats, which he famously wore en bataille The wings were parallel to his shoulders, just like most officials, wearing them front and back. The hat was estimated at 500,000-800,000 euros, made by Poupard, the official hat maker of Napoleon and presented to General Mouton at the Battle of Essling in 1809, which read: “My Mouton is a lion.”
Other key objects related to Napoleon's political and military career include the sword and Baton used by The Pioneer Sword and Baton on December 2, 1804 at Notre-Dame de Paris (estimated: 200,000-400,000 euros), whose personal gold and ebony seals were captured by him in the final competition of Waterloo by Prussians the Prussians (estimated: 150,000 euros campaign), and is a special one: Artisan, appropriately nicknamed “Desouches” (estimated: 40,000-60,000 euros).
The deal also includes more intimate, emotional items related to his public image and private life – which includes a set of emperor's costumes (estimated: 50,000-80,000 euros) in his My list of effects will continue to be delivered to my son. After political unrest, the clothes were entrusted to his loyal valet “father's emotions” and were eventually returned to his mother, Madame Mère.
One of the top lots and the most private: The first debris of Napoleon's First Treaty, In exile in Saint Helena during a period marked by illness, paranoia and isolation. Most of such documents were destroyed by Napoleon himself, but because General Bertrand preserved and passed it to this rare debris through his family. Its auction is estimated to be €300,000-500,000.
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Another evocative work is the proof of religious marriage, one of the most legendary love affairs in history: the alliance of Napoleon and Josphin. The handwriting and rituals of the document are gorgeous, with an estimated €30,000-50,000, embodying the grandeur of political maneuver and romance, a gesture designed to satisfy the Vatican and French public. However, it also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Josphin's dynasty ambitions.
A separate red portfolio is considered to hold formal documents of divorce. After years of hope, Napoleon moved to secure the heirs, and the dissolution of the marriage marked a painful but strategic hub of his domination. This rare collection of works (very suitable for oversized decrees and decisions) is estimated to be €50,000-80,000. Its twins contain smaller documents, which are stored in the French National Archives.
Napoleon then married Marie-Louise, Austria on March 11, 1810, achieving what his former union could not do: the birth of the dynasty heir, “Roman roi de Rome”. Sotheby's will showcase a range of clothing made for newborns, many of which were commissioned by famous Parisian lace maker La Veuve Minette, estimated at €50,000-80,000. For those who attracted Joséphine's legacy, the auction includes a gilded mahogany dressing table commissioned for Saint-de Saint-de Chound of Saint-de Saint-loud, priced at €200,000-400,000.
Several paintings that reinforce the emperor's myth will hit the podium, including modern copies of Napoleon's iconic image. Originally drawn by his favorite artist Jacques-Louis David, the version was executed by Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse and estimated at €30,000-50,000. Another magnificent portrait from the studio of François-Pascal-Simon Baron Gérard, depicting Emperor Napoleon I in a coronation robe worn on December 2, 1804 at Notre-dame.
ÉdouardDetaille pays patriotic tribute to Napoleon's victory in 1796-97, a painting accused of nationalist enthusiasm and idealism, estimated at €60,000-100,000. Paul Delaroche is more acute about Bonaparte's psychological rendering, a lonely figure who faces his downfall, physical weakness, emotional breakdown and full awareness of the weight of failure, sold for €150,000-250,000.
From mythology to profound personal, this sale provides rare and intimate glimpses into the life of one of the most iconic figures in history by accompanying him, ensuring that Napoleon's legacy continues to resonate across generations. “Napoleon is not only one of the most famous French figures in world history, but one of the most famous people in the world,” said de Sennaval. “After gaining the status of a rock star, his life and achievements continue to attract the imagination of many people, including leading film directors such as Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg. There isn't a week that no one has talked about Napoleon somewhere.”
In 2015, Pierre-Jean Chalençon's collection was exhibited at several museums across China, attracting more than one million visitors, with his shares exhibiting at institutions across the United States from 2005 to 2011. “As a result of this series, many people now know more about Napoleon, especially a new generation of admirers,” added De Cenival. With rising global interest in the Empire period (at record prices, an ever-expanding collector base and an updating fascination), Sotheby's chose to preview key highlights from the sale for sale in Hong Kong (May 23-27), followed by the exhibition in New York (June 5-11).
