Geboorte van Napoleon Frans Karel Jozef, zoon van Napoleon I Bonaparte en Marie Louise, keizer en keizerin der Fransen

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

This delicate struck medal, created by French medallist Bertrand Andrieu in 1811, commemorates the birth of Napoleon François Charles Joseph, the only son of Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Marie Louise. Measuring just 1.5 cm in diameter and weighing 2.19 grams, the piece exemplifies the intimate scale often chosen for personal or commemorative tokens during the Napoleonic era. Its creation through striking—a precise metalworking technique involving engraved dies—allowed for fine detail on a miniature surface, making it suitable for widespread distribution as a keepsake. Historically, the birth of the heir, later styled the King of Rome, represented a pivotal moment for the French Empire, symbolizing dynastic stability after years of political upheaval. Andrieu, renowned for his neoclassical approach to medallic art, captured such imperial milestones with elegant profiles and symbolic motifs that reinforced Napoleonic legitimacy. Donated to the collection by Mrs. J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this small object offers visitors a tangible connection to the hopes and grandeur of early 19th-century France.

About the Artist

Bertrand Andrieu · 1761–1822

French, Bordeaux 1761–1822 Paris