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Primary sourcePaintingc. 1800

Napoleon Bonaparte, Stipple Portrait after Bacler d'Albe

Louis Albert Guislain Bacler d'Albe · c. 1800

An engraved oval portrait of Napoleon as First Consul, made around 1800 during his early rule.

This early portrait shows Napoleon as First Consul, reflecting his public image before he became Emperor.

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Engraved oval portrait of a man with curly dark hair in a high-collared embroidered uniform coat, looking to his left. Below the oval is the inscription 'N. Bonaparte Pr. Consul de la République Française' in script, with artist credits in the corners.
M. Mercoli after L. Bacler d'Albe, Napoleon Bonaparte, stipple print, c. 1800. Wellcome Collection, London.

About this source

What it is

This is a stipple engraving showing Napoleon Bonaparte's head and shoulders, in a high-collared embroidered coat. It was made by the engraver M. Mercoli after a design by Louis Albert Guislain Bacler d'Albe, who served as Napoleon's cartographer. The print dates from around 1800 and is held by the Wellcome Collection in London.

Why it matters

The inscription names Napoleon as 'Premier Consul de la République Française,' showing how he was presented to the public early in his rise to power, before he became Emperor. Because the original artist knew Napoleon personally through his military work, the image reflects how people close to him chose to portray his authority.

Look closer

  • What does the formal pose and uniform suggest about how Napoleon wanted to be seen?
  • Why might his own cartographer have been chosen to create this image?
  • What title is used below the portrait, and what does it tell you about his position at this time?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Napoleon Bonaparte on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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