Napoleon with his Staff 1840 - 1850

Charles Rochussen made this oil on panel painting titled 'Napoleon with his Staff'. Though undated, it was likely made sometime in the mid-19th century in the Netherlands. Rochussen was a printmaker and painter who specialized in genre scenes and historical subjects. This painting depicts Napoleon Bonaparte, surrounded by his staff, likely during one of his military campaigns. Bonaparte is mounted on a white horse in the center of the composition, while the officers of his staff flank him. The painting uses visual codes of power, such as the elevated viewpoint and the positioning of Napoleon at the center, to create a sense of authority and control. It’s important to remember that the image of Napoleon was highly politicized, used both by supporters and detractors. Rochussen was Dutch, so his vision of Napoleon might reflect the complicated historical relationship between the Netherlands and Napoleonic France. Examining the artist’s other works, along with historical documents and the critical reception of his art, would shed further light on this.