2008 Woodie Awards
Power trip
Maggie Willis
Issue date: 7/25/07 Section: Lifestyles
At first glance, the artwork surrounding the reign of Napoleon is breathtakingly beautiful, an ornate mixture of simplicity and opulence. The trained eye, however, can find an added layer of meaning beyond the aesthetic surface of the paintings, furniture and jewelry from the Empire era.
Repetition of bees, eagles, stars, laurels, winged women, the letter "N" and other symbols associated with Napoleon creates an almost code-like undertone of military victory and power. The swans, flowers and butterflies associated with Josephine were developed to portray the more feminine aspect of sensuality, as well as peace and prosperity.
The St. Louis Art Museum is showcasing this message by displaying these works of art in the exhibit titled "Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800-1815," which will run until Sept. 16.
David Conradsen, assistant curator of decorative arts and design and the St. Louis curator of the "Symbols of Power" exhibit, helped set up the arrangement of the 140-plus works in the exhibit, some of which have never been displayed outside France.
According to Conradsen, the artwork of the Empire style has a mantra of "ornament must have meaning, and the meaning must be appropriate for the object." This mantra is shown throughout the exhibit with the use of mythological beings and classical symbols.
The exhibit begins with a rather large portrait of Napoleon, shown standing before his throne in full emperor regalia.
"This (portrait) introduces the figure of Napoleon, but it also introduces the ideas of monumentality, richness and opulence," Conradsen said.
It also introduces the motifs of symbolism: lions, laurels, bees, stars, eagles, cornucopia and the letter "N." The bees are found on Napoleon's robe, throne and carpet, the eagle rests on his staff and the laurels crown his head. The remaining symbols are all found on his throne.
Each of these symbols lends extra meaning to what at first seems like the expected portrait of an emperor. For instance, laurels are associated with triumph and peace, cornucopias represent abundance and lions portray strength-all attributes Napoleon wanted associated with his reign.
Repetition of bees, eagles, stars, laurels, winged women, the letter "N" and other symbols associated with Napoleon creates an almost code-like undertone of military victory and power. The swans, flowers and butterflies associated with Josephine were developed to portray the more feminine aspect of sensuality, as well as peace and prosperity.
The St. Louis Art Museum is showcasing this message by displaying these works of art in the exhibit titled "Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800-1815," which will run until Sept. 16.
David Conradsen, assistant curator of decorative arts and design and the St. Louis curator of the "Symbols of Power" exhibit, helped set up the arrangement of the 140-plus works in the exhibit, some of which have never been displayed outside France.
According to Conradsen, the artwork of the Empire style has a mantra of "ornament must have meaning, and the meaning must be appropriate for the object." This mantra is shown throughout the exhibit with the use of mythological beings and classical symbols.
The exhibit begins with a rather large portrait of Napoleon, shown standing before his throne in full emperor regalia.
"This (portrait) introduces the figure of Napoleon, but it also introduces the ideas of monumentality, richness and opulence," Conradsen said.
It also introduces the motifs of symbolism: lions, laurels, bees, stars, eagles, cornucopia and the letter "N." The bees are found on Napoleon's robe, throne and carpet, the eagle rests on his staff and the laurels crown his head. The remaining symbols are all found on his throne.
Each of these symbols lends extra meaning to what at first seems like the expected portrait of an emperor. For instance, laurels are associated with triumph and peace, cornucopias represent abundance and lions portray strength-all attributes Napoleon wanted associated with his reign.
Be the first to comment on this story