The Fifties Napoleon

Yes, I know. Not very pretty. Clearly a Napoleon image knock off.

Worse still. It is a get well card from the 50's.

Unfortunately. I love this card. It made me smile.

Look how happy he looks on the reverse side of the card.

I collect vintage greeting cards and when I purchased this box I didn't realize that the last one I would look at would be Napoleonic. Napoleon always finds me.

Napoleon in Death

I was reviewing the pictures I took in the Musee national de la Legion d'honneur in Paris last month and remembered that I wanted to look up this painter. I really don't know much about Horace Vernet but Wikapedia was very helpful: Vernet was born to Carle Vernet, another famous painter, who was himself a son of Claude Joseph Vernet. Fittingly, he was born in the Paris Louvre, while his parents were staying there during the French Revolution.

This was a small painting but I was captivated by it. I wonder how much it resembles Napoleon and how he looked on his death bed. I thought my little digital did a good job taking these two pictures too.

Napoleon Related Souvenirs

Souvenirs that I like and that are Napoleon related are not that easy to come by.
I picked up this journal and metal token at the Musee de la Legion d'honneur. The medallion I can add to a piece of jewelery.
But the journal.
What to do?
Start of list of questions for my blog? A time line for posting? Or maybe doodle in it.
It is blank and waiting for me to write something inside it. It will have to stay that way for a little bit longer. Like a blank canvas, I am waiting for inspiration.

Talisman Update

Earlier this week Randy Jensen sent me a copy of his paper: NAPOLEON’S TALISMAN. This is the introduction:

As a means of introducing this interesting and complex piece, l shall first present my conclusion; namely, that this sculpted and jeweled piece of artwork is a “talisman” or “good luck charm” as we might call it today. It was created by Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous Emperor of the French. Napoleon spent a considerable amount of time planning the intricate design of the jewels that compose the base of this sphinx. The jewels are arranged in a secret code that reflects Napoleon’s love for his wife, Josephine, and his successful military and political career.

The complete article is going to be published on the Napoleon Series website in the next few weeks so I placed a link to the side of my blog for you to check in there. The talisman in an unbelieveable peice. I had no idea that it had so much meaning and Randy "cracked the code." You have got to read the paper! It is another great example of how Napoleon thought about the special items he gave to family and friends. How he found the time I do not know!

Netherlands blog friends....you will be amazed!

Talisman Update!

The mystery has been solved.
Randy Jensen sent me his paper on the Talisman.
I'll see how much of it he will let me post here!