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Description

Unknown (19th), Napoleon's grave by moonlight, Copper engraving Unknown (19th century): Napoleon's grave on St Helena by moonlight, 19th century, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving and Etching on Paper Inscription: At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "St. Helena". Date: 19th century Description: A modest burial mound rises on a patch of land surrounded by water in the light of the full moon. The grave of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in exile on the Atlantic island of St Helena, can only be recognised by the unmistakable bicornet. The general's weapon is laid on the mound as if on the grave of a soldier who died in battle. In the foreground is a broken stele that bears witness to Napoleon's victorious battles. Waterloo, the last fateful battle before the downfall of the self-crowned emperor, stands at the foot of the inscription plaque and is only represented by the three initial letters. The abandoned location of the resting place and the broken chain lying on the ground contrast with the stylisation as a hero's grave. The shackle lies loose on the ground as a sign of the freedom regained in death by the fallen emperor. The depiction, which is intended to honour the glorious commander Napoleon in modesty, also offers a political symbol in the form of the shovel forgotten next to the grave. In the motif, it functions as the tool of the gravedigger who paid his last respects to Napoleon, but in a figurative sense it also stands for the Bonapartists who were loyal to him, who stood up for his descendants' claim to the throne and contributed to Napoleon's posthumous fame. This print was modelled on an oil painting by Horace Vernet from the year of Napoleon's death, whose motif includes a similar tomb in a comparable location, but whose theatrical solitude is offset by the presence of a multitude of mourning admirers. Keywords: France, Napoleon Bonaparte, memento mori, heroisation, St. Helena, exile, night play, allegory, 19th century, Biedermeier, Religious, Greece, Size: Paper: 9,2 cm x 13,8 cm (3,6 x 5,4 in), additional specification: Paper: 10.6 x 15.1 cm

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Unknown (19th), Napoleon's grave by moonlight, Copper engraving Unknown (19th century): Napoleon's grave on St Helena by moonlight, 19th century, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving and Etching on Paper Inscription: At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "St. Helena". Date: 19th century Description: A modest burial mound rises on a patch of land surrounded by water in the light of the full moon. The grave of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in exile on the Atlantic island of St Helena, can only be recognised by the unmistakable bicornet. The general's weapon is laid on the mound as if on the grave of a soldier who died in battle. In the foreground is a broken stele that bears witness to Napoleon's victorious battles. Waterloo, the last fateful battle before the downfall of the self-crowned emperor, stands at the foot of the inscription plaque and is only represented by the three initial letters. The abandoned location of the resting place and the broken chain lying on the ground contrast with the stylisation as a hero's grave. The shackle lies loose on the ground as a sign of the freedom regained in death by the fallen emperor. The depiction, which is intended to honour the glorious commander Napoleon in modesty, also offers a political symbol in the form of the shovel forgotten next to the grave. In the motif, it functions as the tool of the gravedigger who paid his last respects to Napoleon, but in a figurative sense it also stands for the Bonapartists who were loyal to him, who stood up for his descendants' claim to the throne and contributed to Napoleon's posthumous fame. This print was modelled on an oil painting by Horace Vernet from the year of Napoleon's death, whose motif includes a similar tomb in a comparable location, but whose theatrical solitude is offset by the presence of a multitude of mourning admirers. Keywords: France, Napoleon Bonaparte, memento mori, heroisation, St. Helena, exile, night play, allegory, 19th century, Biedermeier, Religious, Greece, Size: Paper: 9,2 cm x 13,8 cm (3,6 x 5,4 in), additional specification: Paper: 10.6 x 15.1 cm

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Estimate 300 - 400 EUR
Starting price  200 EUR

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