Geboorte van Napoleon Frans Karel Jozef

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

This exquisite struck medal, created by French medallist Bertrand Andrieu in 1811, commemorates the birth of Napoleon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, the only legitimate son of Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Marie Louise. Measuring just 1.5 centimeters in diameter and weighing 3.54 grams, the piece exemplifies the intimate scale of early 19th-century commemorative medallions, designed for personal collection or presentation rather than public display. Andrieu, renowned for his neoclassical approach, employed precise striking techniques in metal to capture imperial events with clarity and elegance. Historically, the birth of the young prince—later styled the King of Rome—represented a pivotal moment for the Napoleonic dynasty, promising continuity to an empire built on military conquest and political reform. Andrieu’s medals often served as portable records of such milestones, blending portraiture with symbolic motifs to celebrate French imperial power during its zenith. Donated to the collection by Mrs. J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this artifact offers modern viewers a tangible connection to the era’s political aspirations and artistic craftsmanship. Its small size invites close examination, revealing the meticulous detail possible through traditional metalworking methods.

About the Artist

Bertrand Andrieu · 1761–1822

French, Bordeaux 1761–1822 Paris