CA0169 A fine painted miniature of Napoleon after Delaroche

A beautiful historically evocative mid 19th century hand painted portrait miniature of the French Emperor Napoleon at Fontainebleau after the original by Paul Delaroche (1797-1856). Very well executed painted porcelain panel with hand written annotation to the reverse 'Napoleon' and 'Delaroche'. This finely detailed miniature depicts Napoleon in uniform in the poignant days at Fontainebleau at the beginning of the end of his Imperial reign. Sensitively painted the composition captures the gravity of the moment as the Emperor faced abdication. The plaque with a gilt bronze edge is housed in its original beautifully patinated distressed ebonised frame. A fine example of miniature portraiture rich in historical resonance it depicts one of histories towering figures at a defining moment in time. Possibly French or German.

H 17cm x W 14cm x D 2cm