The story of a masterpiece; Louis David: Napoleon's Coronation

I. Am. Paying. A A. ORTF. We present the story of a masterpiece. Another in a series of programmes recounting the historical background. Of world famous artistic masterpieces. You're. The day. Louis dovid. And the coronation of Napoleon. It was early in December. Eight hundred for. All the bells of

the cathedral of knighthood damned a penny. Began to strike a joyful piece. And as the bells rang. A huge richly dressed crowd gathered to witness the historic event. Napoleon was about to be crowned Emperor of the French. In a sensational gesture. Pope Pius the seventh in person had come from Rome. To place the heavy crown on the head of the stubborn little corporal. A legendary figure in his own time. Now destined to know imperishable fame. In fact. The pope needn't have gone to all that trouble. Well Napoleon's snatched the fabulous emblem out of the hands of the only father during the ceremony and coolly crowned himself. To leave to the world an enduring memento of the wondrous event. Napoleon Bonaparte ordered his official paint. We def need to

stock up on the colossal painting which today is the pride and joy of the music do. One of several To be sure. Deb It took three years to finish his masterpiece. One fine day at last. He signed his name to wait. And the painting was secretly transported to the Imperial Palace to be presented on the next day to the court and to the nobility.

Prior to its being displayed to the Parisian public Daveed his face beaming with joy was giving his aides instructions for the hanging and the lighting of his painting. When he received two visits in succession which greatly upset him to say the least. The door opened suddenly. And in walked Tony in barangays the beautiful sister of the Emperor a most attractive young woman given to violent fits of temper. She stormed into the room leaving no doubts as to how she felt just then. You have your own monster. Morning mother. Good morning. Heard. The bend it. No no buts about it I've heard that you intend to present this painting tomorrow. Yes the Emperor has ordered me to do so. Where do you know with the Emperor SR is ordering you to do this horror. May I know just why you are so angry with me.

Oh yes you may. You are a crook a heartless man a ruthless man. Tell me what on earth have I ever done to you. Look just just look at your painting. LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH ME. Pauling book is a woman of such great beauty. I'll be the last one to deny it. Be quiet you impertinent man how dare you say to me that you find me beautiful after what you've done to me will you please tell me the reasons for your accusations. You have betrayed me. What will they think of me when they see this painting. He's been a cheerful person you've made me look sadder than a funeral. No not sad mad serious. I've never been serious in my whole life. And your painting I look like my own mother. I love to be first everywhere in everything don't you know that and you've hidden me away in a corner like no waiting maid like a duchess. I am a princess monsieur. You haven't been Princess very long. He has the nerve to call me Poling.

I've known you since you were sixteen. Don't forget it. That's no excuse. You should be ashamed of yourself for packing me away like that in an talk or a 20 meters from my brother who loves me and and who always wants me near him. What have people think come can you tell me that. What will they think that that Napoleon didn't want to have his sister next to him because he was angry with him. That's what all those who see this painting a hundred years from now would think what the UK and a hundred years from now you can be sure that everyone will know that the emperor adored you but that he often got angry because his little sister spent too much money because she was unfaithful to her. I thought I was joking. Don't worry my dear do you know what painting is do you know what it is to arrange a painting. There are rules I couldn't care less about the rules. I want to be next to my brother. Surely you didn't want me to put you in place of the Heavenly Father help me I'm going to

call me as a goddess. I won't sew it yourself you're lovely when you're angry so I'm saying you're so beautiful. Really. I swear I listen to me quietly listen to me quietly for a minute and sit down but I don't want to sit down. You've got me sitting in your painting. I want you to show me standing up in the paint and you hear Oh I'm all right but in the meantime sit down. So I can look at you. Well I'm not a circus freak. You've got the loveliest profile in the world. It's not just the profile of my body. I know I've been told. Who told you. Everyone I'll let me look at you. Well your eyes are enough to drive anyone crazy. Really. It

really you just do this painting impossible. I'm not asking you to destroy this one although it's a real horror an imposture a lie. But do another one for me alone without letting anyone know about it. Just generations to come. You know the difference. No one will know which is the twos the real you know real woman. Angel and Demon From this I promise I'll start by doing your portrait. You know the coronation. I want the coronation with me standing next to the Empress. All right. All right. Do it. Thank you. My little boy until tomorrow. You're the greatest. Problem master your mom thinks oh shock. I feel rather ashamed

to tell you the truth why not just because I lied. And that you should stop pestering me. You don't think I'm going to do redo this painting just for her sake do you. She is very beautiful but she's crazy. No. She's right. Painting is a lie a lot. Yes it changed everything. Political historical truth. I've chosen the moment when Napoleon crown is Josephine and not 20 crowns himself I wonder whether it wouldn't have been wiser to choose the moment where he snatches the crown out of the hands of the pope would have been more barbarous if I may say so dramatic. Yes yes more more theatrical. That's the trouble with fake was it was the truth. Listen closely my boy to what I'm going to tell you I'm going to tell you my favorite pupil. If a Corsican should ever ask you to do his portrait that of his family even if he is the Lord and ruler of the earth. Even if he offers you fame and glory. Take my advice boy

grabby I can cope. Your branches run off as fast as your legs can carry you to the nearest desert. Be better off painting there. I had more than enough of that whole Bonaparte clan believe me. What a burden what a burden. The other's Alright but what about him. Oh him. That's something else. I love him I love all great men. Anyways I love all great rulers. I'm sure I would have loved Nero but I confess I've got a weakness for the lords of the earth Caesar isn't that what attracts you to Napoleon. Maybe but what I've done with him. Look this painting will be my answer. I made a season out of the Little Corporal Cesar for eternity. Oh dear me. The other one. Don't you recognize the voice.

No the family always that same Corsican family the sister and now we get to Brother Napoleon. No no no no no Louis Bonaparte king of Holland doesn't seem to be in a very good. Incredible shocking what is it you find so shocking. I just met Paula just tell me the whole thing the whole what. And for once she doesn't lie. I can see what the imposture. It's a forgery. This painting is a foreign No no no no it's not a forgery I can assure you that I did it myself. That's nothing to be proud about. You're a crook mystery Daveed. I've already been told which proves it's true coronation. What an imposter. What a monumental lie. Does your Majesty mean to say that the coronation did not take place. This is no time for joking. Don't mind I think that you had the nerve to make a stand in the cold for 10 straight hours that gets you to do your sketches to places as you put it. And that's really something. But Sile

What do you find wrong with my painting with painting nothing like good people and excellent paint. I'm an artist that I can tell a man with talent from and I'm toast. Thank you you're welcome. But what I can't accept is that you have the gall to put me over there all alone like an outcast. In all humility point out to your Majesty that I placed him exactly where he was during the ceremony is no excuse. You put me in a ridiculous place. I am king of Holland high constable of the Empire. I should be next my brother the Emperor the Emperor himself had decided on everyone's place I didn't think it my job didn't think it your duty. You've got a lot of nerve. You changed everyone out except me except me. Sigh I now know mine mister. You've got no excuse whatsoever not to care whether I'm upset. I'm quite sure that instead of getting angry I had offered you a purse full of gold. You would have placed me to the right of my

imagination sucking me. I've never taken money into consider. Mission for my wife and I have but one master my art which as far as I'm concerned comes before all the King's honor. All right all right. Don't get excited. I was carried away and I said things I didn't really mean. Quick tempered you know. If you knew the Corsicans better I'm beginning to know them. Look my sisters for example you know very well that they were carrying the train of just being stressed on the day of the carnage. They were furious enough about it. Those little pests Napoleon was forced to scold them to get them to accept why they didn't think that it was meet with that dignity that cheeky little bet. And where did you put them in your painting. They are they are all smiles with their arms crossed not doing anything whom. They got what they wanted all right. Each and every one of them can twist you round her little finger. What did they promise you. What

did they give you. Nothing sad. I've already told you that the country probably was furious and she wants me to change the painting. She wants me to put her next to the Emperor. Her beloved brother he's also my beloved brother. Enough talk. Tell me why have you painted my sisters like that. Because they were standing in profile and that except for Pauline was simply divine. Your sisters don't have a very nice profile that's why. All right that's true. But what about me. You didn't have to worry about my profile did you. You've committed a sin for the Daveed you all celebrating what God has united what God has united. Exactly so our family like all this is the work of God. Well that's true for all the families in the world. Anyway I didn't separate you know next to your brother. But I should be next. The other one next to the one who is crowning himself thought that he'd done my friend.

You're a great painter and a good man but that's not what your Majesty was saying just a few minutes ago let's forget all about that. It's in the past. Here's what you're going to do. My little DAVID It's very simple. Yes you put my mother Lutetia in a front box put me next to a full face. There's no room to take somebody away it's the box in Madame Letitia's record so what. Well I can't imagine what people of inferior rank. You really have an answer for everything. Well then over there they call them fish. Your Majesty isn't serious. I've never been so serious in my whole life admit that the cardinal was a great prophet but you are talking different and social status to grant your trying to get the better of me. You're trying to get the better of me by flattery. Yes you I know you have it right. You're all sly as a fox. But I

won't fall for your game if it's not possible to place me with the pellets or with dignitaries because it won't go with my dignity as you put it. Well then take you all the way and put me in his place. Would your Majesty be kind enough to look very carefully at this little card to the stage as I hear his say so what it represents the overall setup for the coronation. Now look what happens. Look what happens if I take away Joe hawk and I put you in his place. Let's. Face it. No it's not perfect at all. Everything's upset. Can't you see I I won't know where to put my help after all. Side look I put you back in your original place their sign. All words in a perfectly balanced portrait. The emperor's brothers together. There how after Napoleon and Josephine you stand out the others disappear into the shadows. Have you finished making fun of me so

I wouldn't think of doing it in any case. Please remember that I'm a painter. I'm not a master of Master of Ceremonies. I've done a painting painting which will live on long after we're all dead believe me. Such a painting must of necessity be beautiful must show a diversity of masses colors light. You must show the group consisting of the Emperor's brothers standing off to one side to the record of the grave in this solemn moment where the entire Bonaparte family becomes a part of the history of France. If I had done as you wish and just Pauline two wishes but that is to say it's jumbled everything up to please you if I put the women with the mad reds and the reds and the Greens with the Greens thrown everything. Confused what are you talking about with the reds and greens. I never asked you to jumble up the who think on the contrary I wanted perfectly clear. I want to be shown standing all alone for all the world to admire.

Now live with your majesty. Allow me one question I go ahead. You love the art and I know that if you think it's normal for me to sacrifice my painting to one of your fanciful notions This is no fanciful notion. It simply brings out my concern that justice be done. You're giving me only negative reasons because you're quite incapable of giving me a single good one. You've taken it on yourself to arrange all this as you see fit for your own personal convenience. Oh what a shame it isn't the coronation of Napoleon that you want to bestow upon posterity. But the combination of that being that you no wish to glorify the Emperor only yourself eaten up with pride. Look at you. And what's more this painting is going to cost a fortune. I know you're getting rich an all expense that set them free himself is the cited on the price. You know that I spent I spent three years of my life on this painting

but never you mind. I'm going to go right now to tell the Emperor that I decided to make him a gift of what I consider my master thoughts and if he asks me the reasons for my tears. I'm going to ask you all right all right don't get excited. Oh what a temperament. There are all the same these painters were all playing at the moment. What's the size of your painting. It's nine metres long nine meters and I'm at least four and a half meters from my brother. Not very good my little dive you need. I've got an idea which will fix the whole thing yes. I'm leaving for my kingdom of Holland. You know that. Yes. Well I need a replica of your masterpiece from my palace. You're going to make me something out of this world. The same painting of course nine meters long exactly the same. Yes except for one small change. I want to be there right behind him.

All is impossible. I'll pay you twice the sum the employer promised you. Thank you very much. Your Majesty but it's too late can change anything now. How about His Majesty the Emperor. Good day my friend David. Your Majesty. What are you doing here. I was just passing by. You look curious. I hope it is not a count of my friend. Not exactly I was just wondering about certain details of his paintings. I just want to tell you the truth I don't find it. It is rich in atmosphere as a coronation. Actually was you know the rhetorician atmosphere what difference does it make. The Carnation will be what he'd want it to be. Immortality is but the Remembrance of Things Past inscribed in the memory of man and to succeeding generations do remember you will it will be largely due to painting. Thank you. You're welcome. And what's wrong with you can't tell

me Hank. I find that. That's to say it. It seems to me that certain passengers are out of place. David has changed expressions for example. I'll say this is what's happening. Your Majesty knows that here they're all shown great. So what did you want your sister to be remembered pulling a long face. Have either shown them in an attractive light or refreshingly innocent and he did well. Believe me Laurie this is the coronation. It's beautiful. Yes grandiose but a rich blend of color. How truthful it looks look it up mother. The TCM doing what Cal true to life she is. Yes that's exactly the way she is. But surely your Majesty hasn't forgotten that his mother was not present at the coronation. She was not present. Now she was in Italy with my brother he says yeah but she was present since

he'd put her there. And where else could she have been on the day of my coronation day the day of her son's coronation. There must be something wrong with you really. My mother's place was at the coronation and there she is. Period. Period. And the pope. What about the pope. He was holding his hands on his knees at the coronation. I remember perfectly with his hands on his knees his hands on his knees. It struck me and I'm not the only one who noticed it. So what went that God has portrayed him. Seeing the emptiness. Did you expect me to bring the pope all the way from Rome so that he could sit around doing nothing and all of that be quiet. Now you're annoying me. You no sense of history. Why of course all of this is false. What difference does it make. Why of course my mother wasn't there I know that I'm not a fool. You know everything's been changed. Even the generals uniforms. And that's the way the

coronation should have been. There is the coronation in all its splendor. A powerful reality you hear me Louis. A powerful reality and anyone who says the contrary will have to deal with me. You in any case should be pleased pleased that he has given you a choice place. He really standout. Oh it's too late unfortunately otherwise I would have asked you to put you off to the side a lot more. The day does he does a painting of your coronation if he accepts to do that. That is to say I don't mind if he puts me in the background so long as it improves his painting. Even if you put you in the background he'd figure out a way for you to stand up clear than all the others. That's because he loves me. Isn't that so Daddy. I do sigh. Good bye my friend. Your a great painter if ever I can lay claim to some measure of fame and glory. May generations to come.

Also remember the role your artistic genius has played in the life of Napoleon. Thank you Daddy. You're. You're. You've been listening to. The story of a masterpiece today. Louis does he did and the coronation of Napoleon with Mexico like in the title role with his Esq about Norman Enfield. Alexander J claiming Cole and Lyle Joyce. Your narrator was Julian was that this program was written by Patrice gullable at that into English by Benjamin Zimet. And directed by Pierre Cleese Giovanna. It came to you transcribed from or to.

The French broadcasting system in Paris. This program was distributed by the national educational radio network.