This magnificent 1813 engraving, after a painting by François Gérard, portrays Joseph Napoléon Bonaparte, King of Spain, in full coronation regalia. Standing with composed authority, he is richly adorned in embroidered robes trimmed with ermine, surrounded by royal insignia including the crown, sceptre, and throne draped in luxurious fabrics. The highly detailed rendering conveys a deliberate image of legitimacy and sovereignty at a time when Joseph’s reign was fiercely contested. The grand setting, heavy drapery, and carefully orchestrated symbolism echo the visual language of Napoleonic power, meant to present him as a rightful monarch in the European tradition.
Engravings of this kind played a crucial political and cultural role in the early 19th century. During the Napoleonic period, portrait engravings were widely circulated across Europe to project authority, reinforce dynastic identity, and shape public perception. Gérard, one of the leading portrait artists of the Empire, was known for his refined elegance and sense of dignity, qualities that are clearly transmitted in this engraving. The composition balances imperial splendour with a calm, almost introspective presence, giving the portrait emotional weight as well as propaganda value.
Today, this work is appreciated not only for its artistic finesse — the precision of line, the richness of textures, and the monumental composition — but also for its historical significance. It stands as a testimony to the ambitions, aesthetics, and fragile certainties of the Napoleonic age, capturing a brief and turbulent chapter in European history.
Engraving
Royalty - Spain
Pradier sculptor - Thistle
Good condition, soiled
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