Alexander, Napoleon and Josephine

Fascinating exhibition at the Hermitage Amsterdam looking at the relationships between Napoleon Bonaparte, his wife Josephine and Tsar Alexander I.

The first room looked at their friendship and the start of Josephine’s collection at Chateau de Malmaison.

The main room then looked in detail at Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and his defeat there with the retreat from Moscow. Needless to say it was all very War and Peace. I loved the display of weapons in the centre of the room including some which turned. I find displays of guns and swords dry but his made them into an installation in their own right and yet had all the detail anyone who was really interested might need. I also liked the display of uniforms from both sides against a red background.

Upstairs looked at Alexanders entry into Paris and how he won over the Parisians. He formed an unlikely affectionate friendship with Josephine and acquired much of her art collection on her death which is why it is the Hermitage Museum and therefore in this show.  This section included al lovely Cupid and Psyche by Canova, a nice Vigee-Lebrun painting and the beautiful Gonzaga cameo which had been known in Mantua and was taken from the Vatican by Napoleon.

This was a beautifully displayed and narrated exhibition with some stunning objects.

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