Artwork
Napoléon I (1769–1821)
Napoléon I (1769–1821) is an unspecified painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
A man with short dark hair and a serious expression, in a black military jacket with red trim and gold accents, medals across his chest and a red sash. The background is a soft, cloudy blue and white, his name lettered small to the right of his head. Jean-Baptiste Isabey painted it in 1812.
Subject & Meaning
It belongs to the portrait genre and was produced while Napoleon still held the imperial crown, making it a contemporary visual record of his authority.
The work is a painted portrait of the French Emperor Napoleon I, created in 1812 by Jean‑Baptiste Isabey. It belongs to the portrait genre and was produced while Napoleon still held the imperial crown, making it a contemporary visual record of his authority. As a portrait, the piece emphasizes the sitter’s status through conventional poses and attire typical of official representation in the early nineteenth century.
Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection underscores its historical significance as a document of Napoleonic iconography, reflecting how the emperor wished to be perceived by his subjects and foreign observers.
History & Provenance
The portrait was commissioned in 1812 by Napoléon I himself, reflecting his strategic use of imagery during the height of his imperial power. Executed by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, a favored portraitist of the imperial court, the work was completed the same year. By 1900, it had entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession no. 42.53.5), where it remains today.
Its early provenance traces to the artist’s studio before transfer to a private collection, though specific owners prior to the Met are undocumented in available records.
The portrait is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accessioned as 42.53.5. It has remained in the museum’s collection since its acquisition, documented in the Met’s European Paintings holdings. No exhibition history is recorded for this specific work in the provided sources.
Overview
This painting by French artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey, completed in 1812, presents a portrait of Napoléon I. The work captures the emperor during a significant period of his reign and is now part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It exemplifies the formal approach to portraiture prevalent in the early 19th century.
Technique & Style
Isabey's portrait aligns with the neoclassical aesthetic, evident in its structured composition and understated elegance. The artist employs a refined technique, presenting the emperor against a soft, ethereal background of cloudy blue and white. This stylistic choice underscores the formal dignity expected of imperial portraiture during the First Empire, avoiding dramatic flourishes in favor of a measured and dignified representation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Isabey (French pronunciation:; 11 April 1767 – 18 April 1855) was a French artist during both the First Empire and the Restoration.
