Napoleon on board the Bellerophon

Engraving by J.C. Armytage after the painting by W.Q. Orchardson R.A. Published by the Art Journal, London.

Undated, but 1896.

Image size: 6 3/4" x 10 1/4" plus title and margins.

Generally good condition throughout wide margins.

On the fifteenth of July 1815, Twenty seven days after the battle of Waterloo and seven days after Louis XVIII had re-entered Paris as King of France, Napoleon, despairing of escaping to America, surrendered to Great Britain and went on board the Bellerophon at Rochefort.

On board the poop deck of the Bellerophon are members of Napoleon’s entourage. From left to right: Col. Planat de Fraye, aide-de-camp and orderly officer; Maj-Gen. Count Charles Tristan de Montholon; Pierre Maingaut; Count Emmanuel Marquis de Las Cases; General Anne-Jean-Marie-René Savary, Duke de Rovigo, aide-de-Camp and Chief of Police; General Charles Lallemand; Count Henri-Gratien Bertrand, Military Engineer, and young Emmanuel Las Cases, son of above. In the foreground, brooding on his circumstances, General Bonaparte is depicted wearing the uniform of a Chasseur a Cheval of the Imperial Guard, small cocked hat, with a tricolor cockade and his plain gold-hilted sword, military boots, white waistcoat and breeches. On the quarterdeck below, may be seen a marine guard and two of ship’s officers of the watch. He stands taking his last look at France. After a brief visit to Plymouth Bellerophon would carry him to St. Helena where he was destined to end his days.

SOLD