FRENCH SCHOOL CIRCA 1830, FOLLOWER OF JACQUES... Lot 208

FRENCH SCHOOL CIRCA 1830, FOLLOWER OF JACQUES LOUIS DAVID "Portrait of Emperor Napoleon I in ¾ bust in the uniform of colonel of the foot grenadiers of the Guard" Canvas Wooden frame 63 x 52 cm Partial reworking and with variations of the portrait of Napoleon I in his office in the Tuileries, painted by Jacques Louis David in 1812, and belonging to the Kress Collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington. This portrait of the Emperor was commissioned by the Scotsman Alexander Douglas, the future Duke of Hamilton, for the then very large sum of 1,000 guineas. The deal was surprising because the two countries had been at war since 1803. In this full-length portrait, Napoleon is shown as a statesman and a man of law, working late into the night at his desk, not as a battlefield hero. Dressed as a colonel of the Grenadiers, he is about to review the troops. Informed of this commission, Napoleon appreciated the painting and sought to acquire it, but David persisted in honoring his contract. The Emperor is said to have said to him: "You have guessed me well dear David, at night I take care of the happiness of my subjects and during the day I work for the glory of France".