The King of Rome
This print is based on a drawing by Pierre Paul Prud’hon (1758-1823) today in the Petit Palais, musée des Beaux-arts de la Ville de Paris (inv. PPD1293). It commemorates the birth of Napoleon I (1811-1832), the son and heir apparent of Napoleon I and the Empress Marie Louise. The print was made by Barthélemy Roger, a printmaker who had studied with Prud’hon and the engraver Jacques Louis Copia.
The iconography, from the relief of Romulus and Remus to the profile medallion format, refers to ancient Rome and is meant to reinforce the idea that the role of Emperor would descend from Napoleon to his son. Instead, Napoleon would abdicate when his son was only three and Napoleon II died in Vienna at age 21.
The iconography, from the relief of Romulus and Remus to the profile medallion format, refers to ancient Rome and is meant to reinforce the idea that the role of Emperor would descend from Napoleon to his son. Instead, Napoleon would abdicate when his son was only three and Napoleon II died in Vienna at age 21.
Artwork Details
- Title: The King of Rome
- Artist: After Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, Cluny 1758–1823 Paris)
- Engraver: Roger Barthélemy (French, 1770–1841)
- Date: ca. 1811
- Medium: Etching and stipple engraving on chine collé
- Dimensions: Image: 7 15/16 × 6 7/16 in. (20.1 × 16.3 cm)
Plate: 8 1/16 × 6 1/2 in. (20.5 × 16.5 cm)
Sheet: 8 15/16 × 7 5/16 in. (22.7 × 18.5 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Bequest of James David Draper, 2019
- Object Number: 2021.15.20
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Multiple artists/makers
1811
Pierre Paul Prud'hon
Nicolas Lejeune
1819
Pierre Paul Prud'hon
1822
Pierre Paul Prud'hon
n.d.
Multiple artists/makers
1826–27
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