Napoléon I (1769–1821) on Horseback
1830
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (146 x 191 mm)
Classification
Miniatures
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Gloria Zicht, 1992
Accession Number
1992.104
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite ivory miniature captures Napoleon I on horseback, created by the artist Luigi Marta in 1830—nearly a decade after the emperor’s death. Measuring 5 ¾ by 7 ½ inches, the work belongs to the tradition of European miniature portraits, which were for their portability and intimate scale. Rendered in ivory, a material favored for its smooth surface and luminous quality, the piece likely combines delicate carving or painting techniques to convey both the emperor’s commanding presence and the dynamic energy of his mount. Though Napoleon had passed away in exile on Saint Helena in 1821,...
About the Artist
Luigi Marta · 1790–1858
Luigi Marta (1790–1858) was an Italian painter and dramatist active during the early nineteenth century, primarily associated with Naples and Milan. Born in Aversa, near Naples, he emerged as a Neapolitan artist known for his miniatures and illustrations, though details of his early life and formal training remain undocumented. Marta worked extensively in Naples before relocating to Milan, where h...