Jointly organised by the Macao Museum of Art, Consulate-General of France, and Mobilier National & Manufactures Nationales, more than 100 treasures, including the Imperial Throne of Napoleon, are being showcased outside of France for the very first time, proudly hosted by the Macao Museum of Art
Mobilier National & Manufactures Nationales
Formerly the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, established by the Sun King Louis XIV (1638-1715), the Paris-based institution is attached to the French Ministry of Culture. Of the many precious artworks it has been safeguarding since the 17th century, the Napoleonic collection is one of the most prominent.
Art and politics may seem two separate realms, but leaders have always used art to serve political purposes. If artworks under dictators like Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) and Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) tend to be artistically sterile or ideologically toxic, Napoleonic art, kissed by Enlightenment and Neoclassicism, was rather free of these vices. In fact, whether Napoleon was an outright dictator, enlightened despot, or authoritarian revolutionary is still a subject for debate — such is the eternal allure of this man.
Considering art as a means to project imperial grandeur and enhance authority, it was Napoleon who ushered in a golden age of decorative arts in France. Out goes the pompous style of the Ancien Régime, in comes the more abstemious Napoleonic Empire style, with pronounced Greco-Roman influence. But if the 100-plus artworks on display in this exhibition create an impression of civilian peace, they are in fact anything but. From 1792 to 1815, France was embroiled in wars for nearly a quarter of a century, whether against the Coalitions, Royalists, or anti-Revolutionaries. These artworks bear witness to France’s most turbulent but extraordinary era, and the following are but a few of the outstanding ones.
Between the Battle of Marengo (1800) of the Second Coalition and the Battle of Ulm (1805) of the Third Coalition, there was a “hiatus” of five years, during which Napoleon did not personally command in any battle. Curious indeed, as the master strategist-tactician would personally command in 60-plus battles all over Europe. He was, meanwhile, busy consolidating power in France, as First Consul, then First Consul for Life, and ultimately Emperor. Crowned on December 2, 1804 by Pope Pius VII (1742-1823) at Notre-Dame in Paris, here is his imperial throne. Enraged by the act of egotism, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) tore up the score of Symphony No.3 “Eroica”, originally dedicated to Napoleon.
Beauvais
In 1809, Napoleon commanded personally for the last time before the fateful – fatal – Russian Campaign in 1812, at the Battle of Wagram (1809) of the Fifth Coalition. Stretched by the Peninsula War in Spain and Portugal, the Grande Armée had to be supported by Saxony, Bavaria, and Italy (of which he himself was King). Against an evenly matched Austrian army commanded by one of his most formidable opponents Field Marshal Archduke Charles of Austria (1771-1847), who was as revered as the Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (1742-1819), the closely fought battle was won, but incompletely. Nonetheless, it sufficed for the Austrian and British-led Fifth Coalition to disintegrate.
Clock The fall of Phaeton
