Alexander and Napoleon

This year there will be a lot of events focused on Napoleon's 1812 campaign to Russia.  The Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art in Moscow had a one month exhibit this winter.

This exhibition, which opens on 15 February and runs for one month, takes a look at the relationship between the two emperors - Alexander I and Napoleon I. The relationship between Alexander and Napoleon - which combined friendship and enmity - was woven with paradox: a peace-loving Russian emperor who nevertheless initiated war with France, and the warlike Emperor of the French who constantly sought an alliance with Russia. 

I have a feeling this medallion would get more than a few second looks.  Napoleon clearly looks uncomfortable.  Even in this early portrait "imagined" by the artist it is clear that this friendship was not what anyone thought it might be.  I really like how the above quote captures their relationship so perfectly!

Did Napoleon Have a Dog?

Did Napoleon have a dog?  Is this it?

 I have been asking that ever since I read an article on the weekend about a special dog winning all the awards in a National dog show.  The breed is a “BARBET” and the story said Napoleon never went to battle without one. 

I don’t recall ever reading that Napoleon had a dog. 

So the online researching began.  There was a famous “barbet” dog that apparently became a working member of the Grande Armee…but he didn’t belong to Napoleon. 

I know Josephine had little dogs, one of which was famous for biting Napoleon. 

Then I read a Newfoundlander saved Napoleon’s life…..that was news to me.  Is that a myth?  Not sure.

I also found an article saying Napoleon had a special dog on St. Helena.

I found a Napoleon quote about finding a dog while inspecting the aftermath of a battle.  Sad quote indeed. 

Finally, I found a picture of a stuffed dog that was supposedly Napoleon’s and it was posed next to his stuffed horse at the Musee L’Armee in Paris.  I saw the horse…did not see a dog.

Did he have a dog?  I am still unsure.

The Barbet Link

A decade ago there were just 600 or so barbet in the world, a French hunting waterdog so renowned for their calm temperament and undying devotion to their masters, Napoleon Bonaparte had one by his side at all times, even in battle.

Toronto Star Article

The Newfoundlander

Napoleon Bonaparte owed his life to a nameless Newfoundland. As Bonaparte fled the island of Elba in 1815, where he was exiled, choppy seas pitched him overboard. A fisherman's dog jumped in after the drowning despot and kept him afloat. Napoleon lived to experience his own defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.  CNN LIVING

"When Napoleon was on St. Helena he had a black and white dog called 'Sambo' - it had its ears cut off, in the Chinese style, and looked more like a seal. After Napoleon's death in May 1821 the dog was taken back to Europe by Countess Bertrand and her children." Napoleonguide.com

The Very Sad Dog Quote

“This soldier, I realized, must have had friends at home and in his regiment; yet he lay there deserted by all except his dog. I looked on, unmoved, at battles which decided the future of nations. Tearless, I had given orders which brought death to thousands. Yet here I was stirred, profoundly stirred, stirred to tears. And by what? By the grief of one dog.

Napoleon Bonaparte, on finding a dog beside the body of his dead master, licking his face and howling, on a moonlit field after a battle. Napoleon was haunted by this scene until his own death.”
― Napoleon Bonaparte

 
 
 

 

Napoleon and Josephine - Wedding Anniversary

Napoleon and Josephine were married in a civil ceremony on March 9, 1796. 

Josephine was there early, wearing Napoleon's famous gift to her, 

an enameled medallion engraved 

"To Destiny."

I still have no leads on the whereabouts of this piece of jewelry.

I hope someone out there knows where it is!