Napoleon III (1808–1873), Emperor of the French
Medium
Biscuit porcelain
Dimensions
Diameter: 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Porcelain
Culture
French, Sèvres
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mary Martin, 1938
Accession Number
38.145.16
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite biscuit porcelain medallion, *Napoleon III (1808–1873), Emperor the French*, captures the profile of France's Second Empire ruler in a remarkably intimate scale—measuring just 3 1/8 inches in diameter. Produced in 1867 by the Sèvres Manuf and modeled by sculptor Jules-Constant Peyre it exemplifies the factory's mastery of porcelain artistry during Napoleon III's reign. Biscuit porcelain, unglazed and matte like fine marble, was a Sèvres specialty ideal for detailed sculptural portraits, lending a classical elegance to modern subjects. Peyre's precise modeling highlights the emp...
About the Artist
Sèvres Manufactory|Jules-Constant Peyre · 1740–present
The Sèvres Manufactory, one of Europe's premier porcelain producers, was established in 1740 as the Manufacture de Vincennes under the patronage of Queen Marie Leszczyńska, who sought to rival Meissen and Chantilly porcelains with French soft-paste innovations. Initially a private venture, it relocated to Sèvres in 1756 in a purpose-built facility designed by architect Laurent Lindet near Madame d...