Author Description

"The emperor at the king's home - Napoelon at Louis XIV's" wrote Victor Hugo in reference to Versailles. Via the Napoleon exhibition, the "Versailles at Arras" partnership highlights the history of the close link between the first emperor of the French and the royal estate. Following in the footsteps of Louis XIV and Marie-Antoinette, the time Napoelon spent at Versailles, which is often overlooked, marked the beginning of his new union with Marie-Louise. The Versailles estate houses, the finest Napoleonic collection in the world, comprised of masterpieces - paintings, sculpture, and furniture - by 19th century masters, such as David, Gros, Gérard, Robert, Girodet, Lejeune, Canova and Jacob-Desmalter. A combination of splendor and discretion, military scenes and iconic portraits, the works commissioned by Napoleon reflect a turbulent reign that became legendary, involving the most emblematic and prominent figures of the period, and the most memorable battles of the Napoleonic saga.