Napoleon in Egypt. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Obee
- Start date
PolarBear
Major
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
- Messages
- 6,706
More works of art and Napoleon in Egypt (Text and pictures from a site on Art & Napoleon)--more vignette ideas
1. Napoleon fascinated by the mysterious world of the East (A subject recently done by Alexanders Toy Soldiers)
2.Guerin – Napoleon pardons the rebels at Cairo
In Guerin’s painting with its sumptuous tones we see not just the wealth of Egypt as represented in exotic robes and vivid colours but Napoleon’s magnanimity. Again and again, throughout his later time as Consul and then Emperor of France, he forgave those who opposed him. He even tried to co-opt Cadoudal into his Army - a man who was to organize the infamous assassination plot against his life. He was hopelessly tolerant of Fouché and Talleyrand, of Bernadotte and Moreau and later, of Murat, Ney and even his sister Caroline who conspired against him. Had he emulated Pasha al Jezzar, “the butcher” who commanded the Ottoman army, and beheaded all his greatest enemies, he would have had an easier time of it all. The British navy supported this illustrious decapitator, but a little less is heard about that fact than is heard of Trafalgar or Aboukir Bay.
3.Below, a young warrior squares up to the Sphinx, still buried up to its shoulders in sand. This is a time before the Rosetta Stone, and before Champollion deciphered the hieroglyphics upon it. Napoleon gazes resolutely at 4,000 years of history in the shape of a weathered stone man-lion, as if speculating upon his own place in history.
This image encapsulates his own fascination for the Orient, the Land of the Arabian Nights. Does he see Alexander’s empire beckoning him on? Does he believe he can march to India and revenge Tippoo Sultan by defeating the British? Perhaps he dreams of conquest but his supposed friend and ally Talleyrand does not bother to go to Constantinople and make peace with the Ottoman Turks. Thus, the potential empire is reduced to one Acre, and the sands of Syria swallow half his army, while his inveterate enemies the British sink his fleet at Aboukir Bay. Nothing however, can destroy his legacy of Egyptology. He gave that country to the world.
1. Napoleon fascinated by the mysterious world of the East (A subject recently done by Alexanders Toy Soldiers)
2.Guerin – Napoleon pardons the rebels at Cairo
In Guerin’s painting with its sumptuous tones we see not just the wealth of Egypt as represented in exotic robes and vivid colours but Napoleon’s magnanimity. Again and again, throughout his later time as Consul and then Emperor of France, he forgave those who opposed him. He even tried to co-opt Cadoudal into his Army - a man who was to organize the infamous assassination plot against his life. He was hopelessly tolerant of Fouché and Talleyrand, of Bernadotte and Moreau and later, of Murat, Ney and even his sister Caroline who conspired against him. Had he emulated Pasha al Jezzar, “the butcher” who commanded the Ottoman army, and beheaded all his greatest enemies, he would have had an easier time of it all. The British navy supported this illustrious decapitator, but a little less is heard about that fact than is heard of Trafalgar or Aboukir Bay.
3.Below, a young warrior squares up to the Sphinx, still buried up to its shoulders in sand. This is a time before the Rosetta Stone, and before Champollion deciphered the hieroglyphics upon it. Napoleon gazes resolutely at 4,000 years of history in the shape of a weathered stone man-lion, as if speculating upon his own place in history.
This image encapsulates his own fascination for the Orient, the Land of the Arabian Nights. Does he see Alexander’s empire beckoning him on? Does he believe he can march to India and revenge Tippoo Sultan by defeating the British? Perhaps he dreams of conquest but his supposed friend and ally Talleyrand does not bother to go to Constantinople and make peace with the Ottoman Turks. Thus, the potential empire is reduced to one Acre, and the sands of Syria swallow half his army, while his inveterate enemies the British sink his fleet at Aboukir Bay. Nothing however, can destroy his legacy of Egyptology. He gave that country to the world.
Attachments
whdamon
Corporal
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2009
- Messages
- 446
I am beyond absolutely thrilled with the addition of this line. As long as my want list is, this series will jump to the top of my list. I do believe however the addition of Mamelukes will really add to the series, especially with the colorful combinations...a couple photos here to inspire Andy and crew to seriously consider them, especially mounted.
To agree with Randy concerning a standing Napoleon, I have also attached a photo of a completed figure that comes very close to his print. I believe it was an unpainted kit by a Spanish company Art Girona over 10 years ago. Unfortunately mine still sits in it's box awaiting my brushes. Save me, Andy, and produce this little treasure in all it's form and beauty
Walt Damon
To agree with Randy concerning a standing Napoleon, I have also attached a photo of a completed figure that comes very close to his print. I believe it was an unpainted kit by a Spanish company Art Girona over 10 years ago. Unfortunately mine still sits in it's box awaiting my brushes. Save me, Andy, and produce this little treasure in all it's form and beauty
Walt Damon