Head of Napoleon. France, 19th century

Head of Napoleon. France, 19th century.
Plaster.
Measurements: 64 x 33.5 x 27 cm.

The bust of Napoleon Bonaparte now up for auction, identified on the base as “Napoléon le Grand,” faithfully captures the idealized image of the French emperor who defined an entire era. Inspired by the official portraits of the early 19th century, it depicts Napoleon with a serene expression, balanced features, and the characteristic lock of hair on his forehead—an iconography that became a symbol of authority, military genius, and imperial power. Its refined modeling, clearly inspired by Neoclassicism, evokes the portraits of the emperors of Roman antiquity, drawing a deliberate parallel between the classical legacy and the figure of Bonaparte. More than just a portrait, this piece is a tribute to one of the most influential figures in European history, whose image continues to arouse enormous interest among collectors of sculpture, military history, and art from the First Empire.