Jean-Baptiste ISABEY (Nancy 1767-Paris 1855) - Lot 15

Jean-Baptiste ISABEY (Nancy 1767-Paris 1855) The Birth of the King of Rome Watercolor, pen and black ink, annotated and dated lower right "J. Isabey 1811". (Slightly oiled.) Height 15 cm; Width: 22 cm Our watercolor is preparatory to the gouache recently acquired by the Musée de Fontainebleau. The birth of the King of Rome on March 20, 1811 was a momentous event not only for Napoleon, but for the whole of Europe: beyond the joy of becoming a father, the Empire finally had a successor. Napoleon celebrated his birth with as much pomp as he did his greatest military victories. Imperial propaganda was set in motion, with Jean-Baptiste Isabey at the forefront. The Empress's draughtsman created a portrait of the newborn heir in the thousand sparkles of his Baptiste dress, and his studio multiplied the images sent to the four corners of Europe. Jean-Baptiste Isabey also produced a large miniature, brilliantly depicting Napoleon handing the child to Empress Marie-Louise in her bed, in a trinitarian and dynastic setting. Around them, the women of the imperial family and Marie-Louise's attendants. The watercolor was recently acquired by the Château de Fontainebleau. Our drawing represents a prefiguration of this emblematic scene.