Compiègne, Présentation du Prince Impérial
On March 16, 1856, Empress Eugénie gave birth to a male heir, Napoléon Eugène, known as the prince imperial, thus ensuring the continuation of the imperial bloodline. At a series of events that autumn at the palace of Compiègne, the prince imperial was presented to members of the court. Olympe Aguado, a talented amateur photographer and founding member of the French Photographic Society, was among the aristocratic guests invited from October 27 to November 2 and was enlisted as the unofficial recorder of the event.
The hope for a dynasty would, however, not be fulfilled. Napoleon III died in exile in 1873, and the prince imperial-despite being proclaimed Napoleon IV by Bonapartists-never ruled. The only child of Napoleon and Eugénie died at the age of twenty-three, fighting for the British in the Zulu Wars.
The hope for a dynasty would, however, not be fulfilled. Napoleon III died in exile in 1873, and the prince imperial-despite being proclaimed Napoleon IV by Bonapartists-never ruled. The only child of Napoleon and Eugénie died at the age of twenty-three, fighting for the British in the Zulu Wars.
Artwork Details
- Title: Compiègne, Présentation du Prince Impérial
- Artist: Olympe Aguado de las Marismas (French, Paris 1827–1894 Compiegne)
- Date: 1856
- Medium: Albumen silver print from glass negative
- Dimensions: Image: 11.3 × 18.8 cm (4 7/16 × 7 3/8 in.)
Mount: 30.7 × 42.3 cm (12 1/16 × 16 5/8 in.) - Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005
- Object Number: 2005.100.175
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
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Olympe Aguado de las Marismas
1855
Olympe Aguado de las Marismas
1860
Olympe Aguado de las Marismas
ca. 1860
Olympe Aguado de las Marismas
March 1860
Olympe Aguado de las Marismas
ca. 1860
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