Fëte de sacre et couronnement de leurs Mmjestés impériales: Vue de la Décoration elevée en façe de la Place de Grève de l'autre côté de la rivière, à l'occasion de la Fëte donnée à leurs Majestés par la Ville de Paris. Cette immense et superbe Décoration, répresentait le Mont St. Bernard que gravissait gaiment plusiers troupes de Guerriers; un Fue d' rtifice superbe et soutenu éclarait la scene, e

This accomplished print, a combination of aquatint and line engraving, was made to commemorate the displays erected to celebrate the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine as Imperial majesties. According to the legend under the print, the large maquette (most likely constructed of canvas, wood and papier maché) depicts the mountain of St. Bernard, a boat symbolizing the city of Paris, and a balloon carrying an illuminated crow. Soldiers dot the mountain landscape while Napoleon himself and one of his generals are represented on rearing horses at the summit. The orderly crowd that lines the Seine to gape at the spectacle is filled with members of the middle class,and some soldiers, who exhibit the appropriate responses of awe and delight. Napoleon famously crossed into Switzerland via the St. Bernard Pass in May of 1800. This feat was commemorated by Jacques-Louis David in a large canvas painted later that same year. The Napoleon's pose in David's canvas is replicated here in the festival decoration. Such displays incorporating pyrotechnics, light effects, and grand sets are descendants of court entertainments. This display, held for the benefit of the public, firmly establishes Napoleon in an imperial tradition wherein spectacular festivals were held to encourage public support and nationalist sentiment. This accomplished print, a combination of aquatint and line engraving, was made to commemorate the displays erected to celebrate the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine as Imperial majesties. According to the legend under the print, the large maquette (most likely constructed of canvas, wood and papier maché) depicts the mountain of St. Bernard, a boat symbolizing the city of Paris, and a balloon carrying an illuminated crow. Soldiers dot the mountain landscape while Napoleon himself and one of his generals are represented on rearing horses at the summit. The orderly crowd that lines the Seine to gape at the spectacle is filled with members of the middle class,and some soldiers, who exhibit the appropriate responses of awe and delight. Napoleon famously crossed into Switzerland via the St. Bernard Pass in May of 1800. This feat was commemorated by Jacques-Louis David in a large canvas painted later that same year. The Napoleon's pose in David's canvas is replicated here in the festival decoration. Such displays incorporating pyrotechnics, light effects, and grand sets are descendants of court entertainments. This display, held for the benefit of the public, firmly establishes Napoleon in an imperial tradition wherein spectacular festivals were held to encourage public support and nationalist sentiment. Caption: Vue de la Décoration elevée en façe de la Place de Grève de l'autre côté de la rivière, à l'occasion de la Fëte donnée à leurs Majestés par la Ville de Paris. Inscription: à Paris chez Bance, Md. d'Estampes, rue St. Denis. Inscription: Déposé à la Bibliothèque Impériale Inscription: Et chez l'Auteur rue Chapon No. 1 Divin. de la Réunion Printed Signature: Le Coeur del. et sculp.