Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria

FRANCE
Ring with the letter E, belonging to
Eugène de Beauharnais
Bague au chiffre E, ayant appartenu à
Eugène de Beauharnais
Empire period 1804–15
gold, diamonds, emerald, leather box
Napoleonmuseum Thurgau, Schloss und Park Arenenberg, Salenstein
Donation, 1984
Eugène de Beauharnais (1781–1824),
Josephine’s eldest child, was an important
presence within the Imperial Court. He
became Napoleon’s aide-de-camp,
accompanying him on all his campaigns,
from his glorious dreams in Egypt to the
disaster in Russia. With the coming of the
Empire, Eugène was made a French prince,
then State Arch-Chancellor and Viceroy of
Italy. He ruled in Milan from 1805 to 1814.
As befitted the prestige of his rank, Eugène
had at his disposal all kinds of diplomatic
gifts, including the traditional presentation
boxes.
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