Equestrian Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte
Print on paper, likely a lithograph or hand-colored engraving • After a French School historical painter; reminiscent of the works of Antoine-Jean Gros or Horace Vernet
Style & Movement
Neoclassicism / Romanticism (Historicist reproduction)
Medium & Technique
Lithography with potential hand-coloring or watercolor washes; decorative bordering suggests a plate from a historicist series
Creation Period
Late 19th century to early 20th century (Historicist/Revival era)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches; Landscape format within a rectangular frame
Subject Description
Napoleon Bonaparte in military uniform mounted on a dark bay charger. The background features a smoky battlefield scene with a faint figure of another soldier. The image is framed by a decorative border containing Napoleonic motifs, including eagles and cannons.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible signs of age including paper discoloration and mounting issues
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely a 19th-century mass-produced commemorative print for the bourgeois market; no specific labels visible, but the frame appears mid-20th century
Art Historical Significance
Represents the enduring cult of personality surrounding Napoleon in the century following his death. While a reproduction, it reflects the popularity of Napoleonic iconography in French domestic decor during the Third Republic.
Notable Features
Features an ornate printed border with imperial iconography; the inclusion of the 'Aigle de Meudon' type imagery identifies it as a specific commemorative piece.
Condition Issues
Significant foxing (brown spots), yellowing/toning of the paper due to acid migration from backing, visible buckling, and fading of pigments due to UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional de-acidification, removal from acidic cardboard backing, and re-framing with UV-protective glass and acid-free archival matting.