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The last days of Napoleon 1st

M. Leon and J. Levy

1867

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

The last days of Napoleon 1st is a 1867 photographic by M. Leon and J. Levy, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: M. Leon and J. Levy
When & what style?: 1867 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This photograph presents a statue of a man seated in a chair, dressed in a long robe with a pillow behind his head. The statue is placed on a pedestal with the inscription "GLI ULTIMI GIORNI" on the front. In the background, two other statues are visible, although they are not clearly defined. The photograph appears to be a stereoscopic image, with the same scene depicted on either side of the image. The overall atmosphere of the photograph is one of quiet contemplation, with the statue of the man in the chair being the central focus. The photograph is a great example of the work of artists M. Leon and J. Levy, who were known for their realistic and detailed depictions of everyday life.

The story of this work

Overview

A stereoscopic photograph from 1867 captures Vincenzo Vela’s sculpture *The Last Days of Napoleon I*, displayed at the Paris International Exhibition under inventory number 97. The work portrays Napoleon Bonaparte in his final days, a subject that contributed to Vela’s recognition in France, where it earned a prize at the 1867 exhibition. Vela, a Swiss sculptor primarily active in northern Italy, is noted for funerary monuments, portraits, and public works reflecting themes of national liberation. His later career emphasized portraiture and memorials, including a naturalistic relief…

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

M. Leon and J. Levy

M. Leon and J. Levy were photographers who lugged their heavy glass plates into battle zones to catch history in the act. They made Napoleon’s final exile feel like a front-row seat, not a history-book blur. You’ll find…

See the richer artist page