Medallion plaque to celebrate the marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Archduchess Marie-Louise

Art Historical Context

This elegant bronze medallion, by French medalist Bertrandieu in the early nineteenth century, commemorates the 1810 marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte to Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria. Cast in Paris as part of a tradition of official commemorative medals, the circular plaque captures the couple in profile, symbolizing the political alliance that briefly strengthened Napoleon’s empire. Such works were distributed to dignitaries and collectors, transforming a personal union into a public statement of imperial power and stability. Andrieu, a leading figure in Napoleonic medal production, specialized in crisp relief portraits that blended classical Roman influences with contemporary portraiture. The bronze medium allowed for fine detail and durability, ensuring these small objects—only five inches across—could be treasured as both art and historical record. Today, the piece resides in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, where it offers visitors a tangible connection to the dramatic era of the Napoleonic Wars. Beyond its artistic merit, the medallion reflects how rulers used portable art to shape public memory. Its gift to the museum in 1907 by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Wait underscores the enduring fascination with Napoleon’s story.

About the Artist

Bertrand Andrieu · 1761–1822

French, Bordeaux 1761–1822 Paris