More than a hundred artifacts from the life of Napoleon Bonaparte — the man who forged empires, altered the map of Europe, and captivated the world — are now on display in Paris ahead of what experts are calling one of the most significant Napoleonic auctions in history.
Organised by Sotheby’s, the preview exhibition features an extraordinary array of personal items belonging to the French emperor, offering a rare glimpse into the intimate world of one of history’s most enigmatic figures. The auction itself is set to take place on June 25, with the entire collection expected to fetch over €7 million ($A12 million).
“This is not just a collection of museum pieces,” said Louis-Xavier Joseph, a senior representative from Sotheby’s who helped curate the trove. “These are fragments of a life that changed the course of history. You can literally hold a piece of Napoleon’s world in your hand.”
At the heart of the collection is Napoleon’s iconic bicorne hat — the black felt headpiece worn at an angle so his silhouette could be instantly recognised in the chaos of battle. The hat is expected to sell for over half a million dollars, and is one of fewer than 20 authentic bicornes still in existence.
Other standout pieces include a red leather portfolio believed to have held Napoleon’s divorce decree from Joséphine de Beauharnais, the religious marriage certificate that sealed their union, and Joséphine’s ornate dressing table, complete with her famous mirror — an object which Sotheby’s describes as “reflecting both the ambition and tragedy of their alliance.”
One particularly evocative item is a folding bed used by Napoleon during his military campaigns — a utilitarian piece that speaks to the emperor’s nomadic life on the battlefield.
“Napoleon was not only a military genius but also one of history’s great romantics,” said Joseph. “His letters are filled with passion and longing. He was also one of the first modern figures to understand the power of image — both public and private.”
The exhibition, open to the public before the auction, is designed by fashion icon Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, known for his work with Lady Gaga and Pope John Paul II.
Castelbajac has transformed the viewing experience into an immersive historical journey. Visitors walk through rooms bathed in camouflage hues reminiscent of Fontainebleau, navigate theatrical fog, and are enveloped in hypnotic soundscapes that evoke Napoleonic grandeur and downfall.
The timing of the exhibition taps into a renewed global fascination with Napoleon, spurred in part by Ridley Scott’s 2023 biopic, which grossed over $220 million and introduced the emperor’s story to a new generation of fans through TikTok and social media.
Over two centuries since his death in exile on Saint Helena, Napoleon’s legacy remains polarising in France. Some revere him as a visionary who modernised the state and inspired Europe, while others condemn the destruction wrought by his imperial ambitions. Yet few deny his enduring influence on the fabric of modern France.
As the world prepares to bid on these fragments of an extraordinary life, the Paris exhibition reminds visitors that behind the myth was a man — brilliant, flawed, and unforgettable.
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