Napoleon Bonaparte op St. Helena 1816

This is a bronze medal depicting Napoleon Bonaparte on St. Helena, created by Zirotti in 1846. The imagery speaks to the complex legacy of Napoleon. Observe how on one side, Napoleon is depicted as an emperor, surrounded by stars and symbols of power. Yet, turn the medal, and we find an allegorical scene of a naked man fleeing, with an eagle at his side. This is a direct reference to Prometheus. Just as Prometheus was punished by the gods, Napoleon was exiled. This comparison isn't merely aesthetic; it taps into a deep-seated cultural memory of heroes and their downfalls, reflecting themes of ambition, hubris, and the inevitable fall from grace. The echo of the classical myth is no coincidence, but a carefully constructed narrative meant to evoke a powerful emotional response. The Prometheus motif, resurfacing here, reflects how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of the past into the present.