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Napoleon Art Collection Louis, King of The Netherlands Karin’s inspiration was taken by Napoleon’s vision to have all his family as kings and queens on all the thrones in Europe.
In 1806 Napoleon’s brother, Louis, was crowned King of the Netherlands. He ruled until 1810. Artist comments
The Dutch people liked King Louis (I know because I am Dutch!)
He made many positive changes in healthcare and education and bought art collections to set up a museum.
Louis initiated Lintjes Regen Ribbon Rain which recognises people’s achievements with a ribbon and medal ceremony on 30th April every year.
I painted the tulips that grow on reclaimed land for which The Netherlands is famous for.
During the reign of Louis, there was a big flood in The Betuwe and he personally rushed to the rescue on his white horse.
Delft Blue is the traditional way of painting in The Netherlands – I know because I am Dutch! Napoleon The Organiser
Karin’s inspiration is Napoleon planning and organising his next move, invasion or war.
Artist comments
My painting tells the story of Napoleon planning – and shows that everything Napoleon planned worked out.
Under his desk are rolled up maps and the rug is painted like the sea.
Napoleon is holding a map of Europe in his hand with footsteps across it because he did most of his battles on land and travelled by foot or carriage.
Across the room is a painting of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was Napoleon’s rival, also holding a map of Europe.
Nelson fought his battles at sea, which I have represented in the painting on the left wall of the room.
Hot Bath Addiction Karin’s inspiration is from Napoleon’s addiction to hot baths! Artist comments My painting shows Napoleon totally emerged in the hot bath! Toes sticking out. Away from everything and everyone.
But his fighting spirit doesn’t relax. He’s still popping the bubbles with his sword.
His towel is the flag of France. And his bath mat is the map of Europe with the golden carriage running over it.
It was said that Napoleon was always in a hurry so I have painted the horse above the bath galloping past! Les Terres Australis
Karin’s inspiration is Napoleon’s connection with Australia, a topic which is not widely known.
Artist comments In 1785 Louis XVI sent the ship La Perouse, now a suburb in Sydney, on a major expedition to the Pacific and Australia.
Louis XVI was trying to keep up with Captain Cook’s expeditions to discover the world.
Napoleon actually volunteered to join the ill-fated La Perouse expedition was turned down.
After the revolution another expedition set sail for Australia in 1791 in search of La Perouse which had disappeared.
During this trip many samples of flora and fauna were collected from the continent.
The expedition’s gardener and botanist would later work for Napoleon and Josephine at their rural retreat.
Napoleon personally supported the xpedition of Nicolas Baudin to Australia in 1800, whereupon the French mapped the East Coast of Australia again.
Spencer Gulf off Australia is named Golfe Bonaparte, other places are named Golfe Josephine and Terre Napoleon. Napoleon in Russia
Karin’s inspiration is Napoleon reaching Russia.
Artist comments
My painting tells the story of Napoleon reaching Russia. The Russians let Napoleon in but burned and destroyed all the food and shelter and villages in his way.
Napoleon makes to Moscow but the Russians defend Moscow in the Battle of Borodino. The Russian winter finishes the French off and Moscow is burned to the ground.
Napoleon staying in Russia too long. He wrote letters to the Tsar asking for peace but received no reply.
In my painting Napoleon rides a white horse which is symbolic for heroism and glory. He often used to be painted in a glorious way by artists, however, he often marched on foot next to his soldiers.
Napoleon also used art as propaganda.
In the background is the Church of Spilled Blood. On the side of this painting are Russian Icons and Holy Saints.
During Napoleon’s time many people were killed and the angels seen here are taking the dead soul to heaven.
The dead souls are looking very sad!
The crosses on the towers represent the people who died.
Napoleon and His Women Karin’s inspiration is Napoleon and the women in his life, wives and mistresses. Artist comments My painting tells the story of Napoleon and the women in his life.
He had mistresses because men were expected to!
In my painting Napoleon’s mistresses are flying in the air filled with romance and love. They are around and they are not.
Some are painted as holding hearts, crowns or wedding rings as motives for their affairs or marriage to Napoleon.
Napoleon married twice – the first time to Josephine – who couldn’t have children. So Napoleon had to look elsewhere for an heir.
Princess Marie-Louise of Austria didn’t want to marry Napoleon but was over-ruled by her father, the King.
Marriage between them would bring peace and alliance with the most powerful country in Europe.
Some mistresses are holding a flower representing forget-me-nots.
Butterflies, hearts, flowers and love birds are all symbols of romance in the air.
Napoleon looks guilty while he hands one of his many passionate love letters to Josephine. But she is very jealous and looks away holding out her hand.
The Arc de Triomph represents Napoleon’s victories both on the battlefield and in his personal life. Rushing Back to Paris
Karin’s inspiration is Napoleon’s desertion from his army in Russia.
Artist comments My painting tells the story of Napoleon deserting his army after he had made it across the Beresina River in Russia on a raft.
He realised how serious the Russian disaster was.
I have painted him travelling in his carriage returning to France through the thick snow to save his Empire. Hopital des Invalides
Karin’s inspiration is Napoleon’s return to France after his death, following his last wish to be laid to rest in Paris.
Artist comments My painting shows Napoleon looking back on his life and his mission to conquer the world!
He looks defeated while taken to heaven by Cecelia, The Patron Saint of Music.
When I visited L’Hopital des Invalides in 2004 there was a band playing in front of the building. There were lots of black crows circling the dome tower.
I have painted these black crows as a symbol of death and horror and painted one sitting on Napoleon’s tomb. Dancing The Night Away
Karin’s inspiration is the popular pass-time of dancing and partying in the Napoleon era.
Artist comments
My painting shows the dance and partying mania that swept over the country in every walk of life.
From ordinary people dancing in the streets to celebrate a victory – to the aristocrats with their swan-life beauties waltzing with dashing military men.
This night they danced the Polish Krakowiak. A complicated dance, in which Napoleon was asked to do – but he could not master the movements! He joined in their laughter instead.
When you dance all your misery is forgotten.
The rich are partying, eating and drinking, dancing and pleasure combined (breasts hanging out and lavish entertainment).
Cecelia the angel and Patron Saint of Music is playing her dancing tunes.
Hung Out To Dry
Karin’s inspiration is that sea battles were not Napoleon’s forte – he was successful on dry land.
Artist comments My painting depicts Napoleon being hung out to dry by British Admirals. In the pursuit to create a Napoleonic Empire stretching over a large part of the world, he lost two famous sea battles with England.
Firstly, the Battle of Trafalgar in which Nelson lost his life and at Waterloo, while fighting Wellington.
In my painting the end of Napoleon’s mission is near – he is holding a white handkerchief as a symbol of surrender.
I have painted on the washing line the art that Napoleon stole from Egypt. The art and artefacts brought back from various places needed to be kept somewhere – and this is how Le Louvre in Paris began.
The paintings on the grass represent the important role art and artists played in documenting history and story-telling before cameras were invented.
Napoleon cleverly manipulated the arts and the media in his favour. He told artists how to paint the scenes and glorify his portraits.
Around his neck in the bottle of poison he carried with him at times during his life.
The pink dress and the bra is from one of his mistresses.
I have painted Admiral Nelson and Admiral Wellington looking at the washing line scene feeling very satisfied with themselves.
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