Friday, March 13, 2009

Pin Up Boy Or Emperor?


Napoleon commissioned this statue from the famous sculptor Canova but had second thoughts about appearing in the nude after he saw it. It was crated and stored in the Louvre. After Wellington defeated Napoleon, he acquired it and installed it in the atrium of his grand house. It may seem like an effort at humiliating one's vanquished foe but it was actually a compliment.

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