The Bonapartes at an Inn

Description:

Gerome Ferris recorded his painting The Bonapartes, 1804 in detail in this ink drawing. We do not know whether he made the drawing before the painting as a guide or afterward as a record, and the current location of the painting is unknown. He researched the historic details in depth to ensure his picture was accurate. He took pride in his chosen calling, painter-historian, which he seriously pursued from about 1900.

The drawing shows Jerome Bonaparte, Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother, and his American wife, Elizabeth Patterson of Baltimore, at an inn during their travels in the United States. Jerome Bonaparte had taken refuge here during the Napoleonic Wars and married during his stay in this country. A furious Napoleon rejected Jerome’s American wife, who returned to the United States. Jerome married again to support his brother’s dynastic ambition.

Original Artist: Ferris, Jean Leon Gerome

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Work and Industry: Graphic Arts, Ferris Collection, Communications, Art

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Mitnick, Barbara. Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1863-1930: American Painter Historian

Credit Line: Mrs. J. L. Gerome Ferris

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: GA.16616Catalog Number: 16616Accession Number: 119780

Object Name: drawingOther Terms: drawing; Pen and Ink

Physical Description: paper (overall material)ink (part material)graphite (overall material)Measurements: image: 23 cm x 32.5 cm; 9 1/16 in x 12 13/16 insheet: 25.5 cm x 38 cm; 10 1/16 in x 14 15/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-fcd7-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_795067

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