Military & Political · 19th century
€ 330
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Paper generally sound. Light overall age toning consistent with period. Minor scattered spotting and faint surface marks. Margins intact. Colors remain clear and well preserved.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Allegorical Equestrian Monument – After Horace Vernet, 1843
This striking 19th-century historical print presents an allegorical equestrian representation of Napoleon Bonaparte, conceived in the Romantic spirit that shaped much of his posthumous image. The Emperor is shown mounted and commanding, raised high above a monumental pedestal supported by a group of figures that symbolize the collective force, sacrifice, and historical weight upon which his empire was built. Rather than depicting a specific monument, the composition functions as an imagined and symbolic construction, expressing Napoleon as a timeless figure of authority and destiny.
The image is based on a design by Horace Vernet, the foremost visual chronicler of Napoleonic history and one of the most influential French artists of the 19th century. Vernet’s work played a central role in shaping the heroic and monumental perception of Napoleon during the decades following his death. This engraving was published in 1843 as part of Histoire de l’Empereur Napoléon by P.-M. Laurent de l’Ardèche, a richly illustrated Parisian publication intended to present a coherent and glorified narrative of Napoleon’s life and legacy.
The composition reflects the Romantic era’s fascination with grand historical figures, combining classical monumentality with emotional intensity. Napoleon’s raised arm and controlled mount reinforce the sense of command, while the sculptural base evokes the idea of history itself supporting the Emperor’s rise. Such images were instrumental in the 19th-century rehabilitation of Napoleon’s reputation and remain highly sought after by collectors of Napoleonic, French historical, and military iconography.
Condition report:
Paper generally sound. Light overall age toning consistent with period. Minor scattered spotting and faint surface marks. Margins intact. Colors remain clear and well preserved.
Framing tips:
This print lends itself well to a classic presentation. A dark wood or ebonized frame with a wide off-white or light cream mat will emphasize the vertical monumentality of the image. Museum glass is recommended to protect the hand coloring and paper.
Technique: Engraving with hand color
Maker: After Horace Vernet, Paris, 1843
