Emperor Napoléon I (1769-1821) Possibly 1810

Editor: Here we have Bertrand Andrieu's medal of Emperor Napoléon I. It's striking how this small, copper object served as a potent form of propaganda. What do you see in this piece beyond a simple portrait? Curator: It's a fascinating question. This medal reflects the construction of power and the deliberate manipulation of image. How does this idealised depiction of Napoléon reinforce, or even challenge, the narratives of his reign, particularly in the context of post-revolutionary France? Editor: So it’s not just about likeness, but about crafting a specific image? Curator: Exactly. Consider the visual language used – the laurel wreath, the idealized features. What values do they evoke, and whose interests do they serve? Perhaps it's also worth examining how such imagery might have been received by different social groups at the time. Editor: I never considered the different ways people might react to it. Thanks, I'll definitely look at it differently now.