Napoleon Quote

"I start out by 

believing the worst." 

 Something I have in common with the Emperor.

Whenever I think I have a great idea, I spend the first hour or day trying to figure out why the idea won't work. I think that makes me see all sides of a situation.  I make plans, contingency plans and back out plans.  So believing in the worst works for me.  And clearly, it worked for Napoleon.

Bonaparte Entering Cairo

Bonaparte Entering Cairo
Circa 1897
16 1/2" high
Signed "JL. Gerome," and inscribed "Siot-Decauville Fondeur Paris."

In this magnificent equestrian sculpture by the famed artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, the future emperor General Napoleon Bonaparte rides triumphantly upon the laurels of his Egyptian conquest.The sculptor deftly captures the young general's grand and determined spirit as he enters Cairo a hero. A stunning work in bronze and ivory, this sculpture is based on Gérôme's captivating bronze sculpture, which was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1897, and subsequently bought by the French government for the Galerie du Luxembourg.

M.S.Rau Antiques linked here.

In case you would like it now, they have a convenient button to use:

Price: $198,500

French Exhibit In The US

Some time in 2011 I hope to get to Philadelphia!

This exhibit looks amazing!

They have:

• One of Empress Josephine’s stuffed Australian black swans, which she was the first to breed in captivity.
• Les Roses, one volume of Pierre Joseph Redouté’s three-volume masterpiece on roses, including many of Josephine’s 250 varieties at Malmaison.

Here is a link to the APS museum.

May 5th - Napoleon's Death Remembered

Another year has gone by.

I will think about Napoleon today.  He died 190 years ago, yet he is still making an impact on the world.

I'll be wearing this bracelet today.  I made it using a bookmark I picked up in Paris last month.

L'Arc de Triomphe

 My favorite paper find in Paris last month.  L'Arc de Triomphe.  3D greeting card.

This is the company that creates these amazing designs.

Creating New Napoleon Imagery

 I have a good number of photos I took inside the Legion D'Honneur Musee in Paris.  Right across the street from the Musee is another bigger art gallery; Musee D'Orsay.  They have now banned the taking of any photographs and that makes me so mad.  I am hoping all the other Paris galleries don't try to institute the same policy. Luckily I have been in both museums a number of times in the last few years and have taken quite a few photos that I'll be able to use for years to come.

I really love this statue of Napoleon as Premier Consul.  It isn't in the best spot for a photographer though.  There are doors behind it and it is difficult to photograph without some sort of background interference.  It is placed in natural sunlight, so the "NO FLASH" rule is easy to respect.

I worked the image I had in photoshop and have something new I can enjoy.  Even Napoleon's button looks more interesting in this new version of my picture!