Dans Les Rêves De Napoléon La Première Chambre De L'empereur À Fontainebleau

Exhibition at the Château de Fontainebleau, 15 October 2016 - 23 January 2017

While the Constitution of Floréal Year XII (May 1804) entrusted the government of France to an emperor, Napoleon obtained from Pope Pius VII that he come to Paris to be crowned. Fontainebleau, the last stop before the capital, was chosen to welcome the sovereign pontiff. It was for this stopover from 22 to 28 November 1804 that the refurnishing of the château, which had been emptied since the Revolution, took place. Calmelet, administrator of the Imperial Furniture, in liaison with Duroc, grand marshal of the palace, and the architects Percier and Fontaine, was responsible for this mission.

More than forty works (cabinetry, seats, porcelain) emblematic of this refurnishing, most of which appeared in the Emperor's bedroom or in his toilet, are brought together in this catalogue to bring this event to life.