Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1795-1875). Napoleon on Horseback. Bronze, 18 x 13 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (45.7 x 34.9 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 10.199. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 10.199_PS11.jpg)
Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1795-1875). Napoleon on Horseback. Bronze, 18 x 13 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (45.7 x 34.9 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 10.199. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 10.199_glass_bw.jpg)
Napoleon on Horseback
Antoine-Louis Barye
European Art
This sculpture shows Napoleon on horseback, dressed in his military uniform and signature bicorne (two-cornered) hat. The use of the equestrian format here echoes a visual tradition for portraying rulers dating back to antiquity. Rather than creating a grandiose imperial image, however, Barye portrays Napoleon in his guise as citizen-soldier.
Barye, best known for his animal sculptures, was born at the height of the French Revolution and served in the French Army toward the end of the Napoleonic era. He received two government commissions for posthumous equestrian monuments of the emperor that he made in the 1860s during the rule of Napoleon's nephew, Napoleon III, who sought to revive his uncle's imperial image and legacy.
Barye, best known for his animal sculptures, was born at the height of the French Revolution and served in the French Army toward the end of the Napoleonic era. He received two government commissions for posthumous equestrian monuments of the emperor that he made in the 1860s during the rule of Napoleon's nephew, Napoleon III, who sought to revive his uncle's imperial image and legacy.
MEDIUM
Bronze
DIMENSIONS
18 x 13 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (45.7 x 34.9 x 13.3 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
European Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
10.199
CREDIT LINE
Purchased by Special Subscription
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1795-1875). Napoleon on Horseback. Bronze, 18 x 13 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (45.7 x 34.9 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by Special Subscription, 10.199. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 10.199_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 10.199_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2019
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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