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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/24
Former ReferenceD5459/1/150
TitleBonaparte and Leland the Astronomer
Date[1800-1809]
DescriptionOn the left the French astronomer Joseph-Jérôme Lefrançais de Lalande (1732 - 1807) looks through a telescope and announces:
"Bégar me have discovered une grande island in de moon."
Napoleon, standing to the right replies:
"But Leland I am before hand with you - I knew what would happen, and have just sent up a King to take possession of it!!!"
On the far right is the moon, and flying towards it is a king with a crown and sceptre in a balloon. Available on CD 158.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationThis refers to Napoleon's policy of making family members kings. In 1806 Louis Bonaparte was made King of Holland, in 1807 Jérome was made King of Westphalia and in 1808 Joseph was made King of Spain. This was probably drawn before Lalande's death in 1807.
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 408 x 316 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Related MaterialFor more depictions of Napoleon see D5459/1/91 etc.
For drawings of balloons see subseries D5459/1/28
Image

Bonaparte and Leland the Astronomer

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