The Eagle and the Butterfly: symbols of power under Napoleon
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Credit: www.historymike.blogspot.com Image of Napleon's "bee flag" provided courtesy of James D. Julia, Inc., Fairfield, Maine |
Napoleon’s Empire was the last French political regime to impose an official art style, and its impact was felt all over Europe. The Empire deliberately used language and images as symbols of power to further its political and economic ambitions. Why, for example, did Napoleon replace fleur-de-lys with bees, or use eagles and butterflies? Although Imperial power tried to keep seduction at bay, it played a role nonetheless.
Join us to look at the decorative arts under the Empire from a political and aesthetic point of view and understand the way ornamentation was used as an essential communication vector to reflect the evolution of the mentalities of the times.
Instructor: Ingrid Held, speaker at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée de la Mode and the Baccarat Museum.
Date: |
Tuesday, May 13 |
Time: |
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
Code: |
LY131 |
Fee: |
25€ |
Place: |
Meet at 10:45 a.m. in the lobby of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 1st, Métro Palais-Royal or Tuileries. |
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