This is one of three portraits of Napoleon painted by Vernet in 1815–16 for Charles Kinnaird, 8th Lord Kinnaird of Inchture, an art collector who had been a Member of Parliament and an elected representative peer for Scotland.
Napoleon declared himself Emperor of the French in 1804 and reigned until 1814 and again, briefly, in 1815. In 1814 Vernet had received the Légion d‘Honneur from Napoleon for his role in the defence of Paris, and he remained a fervent and lifelong admirer of the Emperor.
This portrait may be based on a sketch made from life by the artist in 1812. Napoleon is wearing the cross and plaque of the Légion d’Honneur and the cross of the Order of the Iron Crown – both orders he had founded. Although this is a formal portrait that presents Napoleon in his uniform and medals, Vernet offers a sympathetic image of the Emperor, which emphasises the man rather than imperial glory.
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Martin Davies, with additions and some revisions by Cecil Gould, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: French School: Early 19th Century, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, etc.’, London 1970; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
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