Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria

220
POUPARD ET DELAUNAY milliner
France est. 1811
Hat worn by Napoleon at Saint Helena
Chapeau porté par Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène
Empire period 1804–15
felt, silk
Musée de l’Armée, Paris
Ancienne collection du musée des Souverains inv. Ca 34
During the Consulate, Bonaparte chose to
wear a type of cocked bicorn officer’s hat
that was then very much in use in the French
Army. The legendary silhouette of Napoleon
that became part of posterity dates from
this period. Made of black felt, the famous
accessory was unadorned save for a tricolour
cockade. From the Consulate to the fall of
the Empire, between 160 and 170 hats were
made for Napoleon. Only four hats were
taken to St Helena, however, one of which
was buried with his coffin.
© COPYRIGHT
This document remains the property of the National Gallery of Victoria and must be returned upon request. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without written authorisation.