University art expert discovers Napoleon painting
Monday, 30 September 2013
image: Collins Fine Art www.collins-fineart.com
A long-lost portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte by renowned 18/19th century French artist Jacques-Louis David has been discovered in New York by Dr Simon Lee from the University's Department of Art.
Previously thought to be a copy, the painting captures Napoleon pledging to defend France in 1813 in its hour of need, as the British and Prussians threatened to invade and occupy France. It was sold to a New York private collector for around £15,000 (pre-auction estimate) in 2005 but extensive work by Dr Lee, who is an expert in French art, has revealed that is a genuine ‘David'.
Although yet to be officially valued the portrait could be worth over £2m, with the most recent David portrait selling for £2,140,000 in Paris in 2006 and the Battle of Waterloo Bicentenary in 2015 potentially boosting its value.
Dr Lee said: "I am thrilled to have discovered this beautiful painting which offers a unique insight into the role that art could play at a time of war. By having his portrait painted in National Guard uniform, Napoleon was promoting himself as protector and defender of the nation at the time when France was under great threat.
"David produced an image of the Emperor to galvanise resistance and foster patriotism, yet the painting never reached a wide audience because of the unexpectedly swift allied invasion that ensured the image remained uncirculated and practically unknown.
"How it came to be in Scotland is not known but France and Scotland had an ancient alliance against the common 'enemy' - England. So it's presence in Scotland might be more evidence of an admiration for the Emperor."
Dr Lee used various research methods to authenticate the painting. A contemporary print made after the painting, with a caption identifying David as the painter, was confirmation that the picture existed in its own right and was not a copy of another work.
Dr Lee also saw there was a slight difference in uniform styles when comparing known versions of the portrait to the one he was asked to examine. In the newly discovered portrait, Napoleon's white flap of the right cuff has three buttons, set in a triangular formation but in existing versions of the portrait there are only two fastened cuff buttons set in a row.
For further confirmation Dr Lee visited the Frick Collection to compare the portrait with that of David's Portrait of Countess Daru of 1810. Using a special conservator's light he found that both had identical painterly mannerisms and methods of rendering facial features and modelling the drapery.