Descriptions

A favourable French perspective. The face of Napoleon is youthful, vigorous and presented as almost god-like. In similar fashion, the laurel wreath crown is a familiar reference to the emperors of ancient Rome.

This object is not on display.

Inscription

verso This likeness of Buonaparte was painted at his request by the famous French artist David, and was sent to Buonaparte, when he was Consul to his sister Mme Murat, when she was Queen of Naples. On the death of Murat, who was shot by his subjects, she quitted Naples, leaving this portrait as a present to a lady, one of the Neapolitan noblesse, whom the King of Naples used to visit. He, having expressed his displeasure at seeing the portrait in her possession, induced her to sell it and it was bought by me when I was at Naples (signed) Frank Turner of Exeter. I bought it at the palace of the noble lady. Friends of mine and of Mrs Turner having hired some of the apartments of the Palace, she had committed the sale of it to them, and it was there I bought it. I was offered 150 guineas for this picture by a dealer in pictures who had a collection of paintings at Carter’s large room. At Paris it would fetch a good deal more or more than double that sum.