Napoleon-Symbols of Power at the MFA

Symbols of Power, Napoleon and the Art of an Empire 1800-1815 that opened this past October 21, 2007 at the MFA Boston (Museum of Fine Arts) and it ends in January 27, 2008.



I enjoyed the exhibit Symbols of Power. I saw something similar but not entirely the same when I was in Hiroshima last year in Japan. It was a lot of Napoleon's personal items, furniture, jewelry, clothing etc so I originally thought it was the same exhibit. After walking through, I realized it was an entirely different exhibit. I learned that history and mythology do play a huge role as Napoleon utilized symbols such as the bee, swan, as well as other Roman gods/goddesses to show his power and place in history. The samples of fabrics, wall paper, clothing furniture, sculpture and paintings were great. I always find I learn a lot whenever I go to an exhibit.


"Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800–1815” brings to Boston the grandeur of Napoleon’s empire and the splendor of his reign. The first comprehensive survey of the decorative arts of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century France, many of the nearly 200 works on display are masterpieces that have never before been seen outside of France.

This exhibition represents a rare opportunity to see many spectacular objects made for Napoleon and Josephine, which reflect the new French style that evolved from the austerity of the Revolution to the splendor of imperial France.

“Symbols of Power” examines the artistic use of classical emblems of power, including the use of Roman mythological figures, the laurel wreath, butterflies, swans, bees, and other symbols from antiquity and France’s distant past.


As an emperor, Napoleon allied himself with the great civilizations of the past, especially those of classical Rome and Greece and ancient Egypt, as a means of legitimizing his reign and creating an illusion of permanence, grandeur, and monumentality.

Objects made for Napoleon and his first wife, Josephine, crowned emperor and empress in 1804, are a focal point of the exhibition. Their legendary love affair is brought to life by Empress Josephine’s letter box, a wood, ebony, and gilded-bronze container that once held many of the letters Napoleon sent from the battlefield.

“Symbols of Power” also looks at how Napoleon’s military campaigns influenced decorative arts of the day. French victories inspired furnishings decorated with military trophies, arms, and armor. Many pieces incorporate images of Roman gods and goddesses of war, a nod both to France’s military prowess and the great civilization that served as the model for the new empire.


Butterfly is associated with the mythological figure Psyche, the God of Eros' human wife and the Goddess of Spring, Flora-symbolizes the beginning.

Thunderbolts represents Jupiter, the Roman God of Gods.


Laurel Wreath adorned the heads of victorious Ancient Roman warriors.

Lion symbolizes strength and royalty throughout history.

Swans has two meanings which is femininity and seduction while the other is Apollo. A swan had flown overhead the day Apollo, the Roman God of Love and the Sun was born.

(text: MFA website)


Bees were used in a lot of as a symbol of power. Three hundred gold bees were discovered in the tomb of Childeric I (on the year 481), which showed that the hive was the model of an absolute monarchy. Napoleon I used bees as a motif on all his carpets, as well as on his coronation robes. (lunedemiel.tm.fr)