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Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte on the Second of December

1851–55
Not on view
“Napoléon le 2 décembre” was inscribed on a label once affixed to the backing of this sheet. If the identification is sound, the drawing represents the triumphant Charles-Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte the day he staged a coup d’état to overthrow the Republican government in 1851. He was later crowned Emperor Napoléon III, and the Second Empire took hold.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte on the Second of December
  • Artist: Constantin Guys (French, Flushing 1802–1892 Paris)
  • Date: 1851–55
  • Medium: Graphite, brown ink, and gray wash on off-white wove paper
  • Dimensions: 6 5/16 x 11 5/8 in. (16.1 x 29.6 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.637
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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Woman Standing in a Doorway, Constantin Guys French, Pen and brown ink, brown and black wash, over traces of graphite
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Constantin Guys
19th century
Two Ladies Taking a Walk, Constantin Guys French, Brush and black wash, with touches of blue and brown wash; pen and ink. Laid down.
Two Ladies Taking a Walk
Constantin Guys
19th century
Two Soubrettes, Constantin Guys French, Brush and gray, black, and blue wash over traces of graphite
Two Soubrettes
Constantin Guys
19th century
Walking in the Park, Constantin Guys French, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray and black wash, and touches of yellow wash. Laid down.
Walking in the Park
Constantin Guys
19th century
Two Fat Peasant Women, Constantin Guys French, Brush and gray wash, over graphite
Two Fat Peasant Women
Constantin Guys
19th century

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