NAPOLEON BONAPARTE FRAMED PRINT
Very large engraving of Napoleon Bonaparte, 20" x 27 1/2", entitled: "Napoleon Le Grand" ("Napoleon the Great"), and depicting the general in full regalia as Emperor of France, complete with robes, laurel wreath, throne, orb and scepter. At the bottom is the name of the artist who painted the original image, as well as that of the engraver and the date: "F. Gerard pinxit anno 1805./ Augte. Boucher Desnoyers sculpsit". The print is housed in a very heavy and elaborate cast Late Empire frame, likely made in the period 1800-1820, contemporary with the print it houses. This style of frame was favored by Napoleon, who used them to house paintings captured during his military campaigns. The frames often featured symbols associated with Napoleon, including olive branches, bees, eagles, or (as present here) lotus buds, which represented his victory in Egypt. The print shows some minor foxing, while the frame shows some minor chips on the top edge, and at various points in the plaster itself. Very good.