Bust of Napoleon

Not singled out for special treatment during the ancien régime, Houdon did not enjoyed any particularly outstanding success under Napoleon. Although his was perhaps the finest bust to be produced of the emperor, it is rivaled by the sharply observant bust of General Bonaparte (1799, Lille) by Charles-Louis Corbet (1753-1808).

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 51 minutes): Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) in E Flat major op. 55 (1803)