Napoleonic Objects and their Afterlives: Art, Culture and Heritage, 1821-present

Two centuries after Napoleon Bonaparte’s death, this edited volume brings together a diverse group of historians, art historians, and museum professionals to critically examine the enduring power of visual and material culture in the making of Napoleonic memory.While most discussions surrounding the legendary figure explore his impact on legislative, political, or military reform, this innovative volume explores the global dimensions of the trade in Napoleonic collectibles, art, and relics over time. Representing new avenues of research and scholarship, Napoleonic Objects and their Afterlives investigates the material objects and cultural forms that Napoleon inspired through a range of themes.These include art collecting, the circulation and display of objects, political and imperial symbolism, and the flexibility and ambiguity of Napoleon’s enduring legacy.The essays examine how and why, despite his contentious role in contemporary memory, Napoleon continues to escape much historical