Medaillon met portret van Napoleon Bonaparte 1807 - 1861

This is A. Barre's "Medaillon met portret van Napoleon Bonaparte", a compelling representation of power. At its center, a profile of Napoleon is framed by smaller medallions of other figures, creating a hierarchy that emphasizes his dominance. The imagery echoes classical Roman motifs, a deliberate choice to align Napoleon with the grandeur and authority of past empires. The eagle perched atop further reinforces the imagery of imperial power, projecting strength and control. However, the piece also speaks to the complexities of identity and power during a time of great social upheaval. Napoleon's rise challenged the old aristocratic order, but it also consolidated power in the hands of one man. As viewers, we're invited to consider how historical narratives are constructed and whose stories are privileged in the process. How does this image contribute to the ongoing narrative surrounding Napoleon's legacy? How does it balance the image of the man, the myth, and the reality?