IN ITS NEWEST EXHIBITION, CHAUMET BRINGS BACK TO LIFE THE GOLDEN ROMANCE THAT WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT: NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE AND JOSÉPHINE DE BEAUHARNAIS – FROM MAY 19 TO JULY 18, 2021.
This year 2021 marks the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon I, in 1821, and that is why he is being celebrated through different events in France lately. For this occasion, Chaumet, the high-end jewelry house, has assembled more than 150 paintings, letters, sculptures, engravings and jewelry pieces to illustrate the highlights of the life of the Emperor and Empress in its luxurious private hotel, 12 place Vendôme, from May 19 to July 18, 2021. This captivating exhibition is called “Joséphine Napoléon, une histoire (extra)ordinaire” (Josephine Napoleon, an (extra)ordinary story) and it has all the ingredients of a journey back in time.
THE HISTORY
As a matter of fact, the history of the house is closely linked to that of France during the Napoleonic era. He and Josephine de Beauharnais met for the first time in 1795, before Bonaparte’s departure for his Italian campaign – during which he wrote Josephine many passionate letters. Chaumet, a Parisian jeweler since 1780, quickly became the official – and very praised – supplier of the imperial court. Indeed, François-Regnault Nitot, the founder’s son, designed tiaras and bracelets, a gothic belt in solid gold and a remarkable ceremonial sword in gold, bloodstone and tortoise shell for the emperor and his two successive wives. He was therefore a privileged witness of their history through the years, and since then, Chaumet has continued to bring their passion to life in its creations.
THE EXHIBITION
The pieces exhibited are part of Chaumet‘s historical collection, but also include items that belong to private collectors. With her education in botany, Josephine had a particular admiration for the study of wheat. This led to her absolute love for tiaras in the shape of ears of wheat – several examples of which are on display in the exhibition. The setting tells the story of the couple gradually through the salons: emblematic paintings of this period, drawings of some of the first pieces of jewelry, letters written during the Italian campaign, a diadem salon relating the coronation of Josephine and Napoleon… In the exhibition, you’ll also get to admire a malachite cameo from 1810, decorated with pearls and tortoise shells. All these pieces of art reflect the essence of Josephine, who at the time made her court the artistic center of Europe. This inspiring woman worked closely with sculptors and interior designers to develop the Empire style, and became the first major collector of French art.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Open to the public from May 19, 2021, Thursday to Saturday.
12 place Vendôme 75001 Paris
Reservations here.
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