The Empress Joséphine

Joséphine de Beauharnais was the widow of an executed general when she met Napoléon Bonaparte, who was her junior by six years. Joséphine was his first wife, and she became Empress in 1804. In this bust she is wearing her coronation gown. The lace and the pearls of the tiara are exquisitely reproduced. The ceremonial character of the portrait did not deter the artist from following the revealing Empire fashion: the empress’ nipples are clearly visible above the décolletage. Joséphine’s granddaughter became queen of Sweden, bearing the name Josefina. This bust belonged to her.