A new Vigour permeated the Decorative Arts during Napoleon’s Reign. Furniture and objects were embellished with simple, forceful Imagery drawn from classical Mythology, whose role far surpassed the Merely decorative. By focussing specifically on the meaning of Ornaments during the Empire, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is challenging our traditional idea of Napoleonic Symbols, often reduced in the collective Imagination to Emblems of political power. The exhibition invites us to take a fresh Look at imagery which, from the Eagle, Butterfly, Laurel Leaf, Floral crown and Bee to the Beautiful young man, Sphinx, Swan, Apollo and Psyche, reveal that other Facet of Power: Seduction. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs’particularly rich Collection combined with prestigious Pieces from other major French Collections such as The Châteaux de Fontainebleau, Malmaison, Versailles and Compiègne, The Mobilier National, The Musée de la Céramique de Sèvres, The Archives of the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres and the Musée national de la Legion d’honneur, provide a full picture of Napoleonic Imagery. 250 objects – Furniture, precious Metalware, ceramics, textiles and Wallpaper – will be displayed in the Nave of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in an exhibition design by Philippe Renaud.
Practical information
Les Arts Décoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli – 75001 Paris
Tél. : 01 44 55 57 50
Métro : Palais-Royal, Pyramides ou Tuileries
Information selected by FrenchVision.com and provided by the Museum.
