Joachim Murat, King of Naples and the two Sicilies
Medal
1811 (made)
1811 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
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This bronze medal commemorates the appointment of Joachim Murat as King of Naples and the Two Sicilies in 1808 and the capture of the island of Capri from Hudson Lowe's troops on 16 October 1808.
The obverse presents the left profile of Murat in uniform, heavily decorated with military decorations. One of Napoleon's best officers, Murat was equally famous for his ostentatious looks, rendered here by his lavish epaulettes and tassels and the heavy curls of his hair and side-burns.
On the reverse, the French fleet is seen approaching Capri and a cluster of lifeboats and ships with broken masts that convey the British defeat. In the background, clouds of smoke rising from the island express the ferocity of the battle.
The obverse presents the left profile of Murat in uniform, heavily decorated with military decorations. One of Napoleon's best officers, Murat was equally famous for his ostentatious looks, rendered here by his lavish epaulettes and tassels and the heavy curls of his hair and side-burns.
On the reverse, the French fleet is seen approaching Capri and a cluster of lifeboats and ships with broken masts that convey the British defeat. In the background, clouds of smoke rising from the island express the ferocity of the battle.
Object details
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Object type | |
Title | Joachim Murat, King of Naples and the two Sicilies |
Materials and techniques | struck bronze |
Brief description | Medal, Murat King of Naples and the two Sicilies and the capture of Capri, struck bronze, by Louis Jaley, French, 19th century, 1811 |
Physical description | Bronze medal commemorating the appointment of Joachim Murat as King of Naples and the two Sicilies, and the capture of the island of Capri. The overse shows Murat in profile, wearing a uniform with military decorations. The reverse shows a fleet off the island of Capri. |
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Object history | Given by Thomas Tapping, Esq. in 1886. Historical significance: In 1808, numerous medals were created to commemorate Murat’s new title (Bramsen, 1904, I, 120 no. 728-733, and 123, no. 755 for a copy of this design). Jaley used this profile of Murat for several other medals he designed from 1808 to 1815 (see notably Museum no. 241-1886, and Forrer, 1907, III, 54). |
Historical context | This medal commemorates the appointment of Murat as King of Naples and of the two Sicilies. One of Napoléon Bonaparte's most successful officers and brother-in-law (he was married to Caroline Bonaparte), Joachim-Napoléon Murat (25 March 1767 - 13 October 1815) received numerous titles from the Emperor of the French. After being made Marshal of France in 1804, he became Prince of the Empire in 1805, Grand Duke of Berg and Cleves in 1806, and was King of Naples and Sicily from 1808 to 1815. Murat's portrait shows him heavily decorated with military medals and orders, notably with the military star, the insigna of the Légion d'Honneur (with profile of Napoleon) and the Plaque du grand aigle de la Légion d'Honneur (the imperial eagle holding lighting in its claws). The reverse of the medal shows the capture of the island of Capri from Hudson Lowe's troops on 16 October 1808. According to Forrer (1907, III, 54), Louis Jaley (1763-1838) was a pupil of Moitte and Dupré. He specialised in commemorative medals, most notably of the Napoleonic era. After the fall of Napoleon, memorabilia of the Empire became collectible, notably sought in Great Britain. |
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Summary | This bronze medal commemorates the appointment of Joachim Murat as King of Naples and the Two Sicilies in 1808 and the capture of the island of Capri from Hudson Lowe's troops on 16 October 1808. The obverse presents the left profile of Murat in uniform, heavily decorated with military decorations. One of Napoleon's best officers, Murat was equally famous for his ostentatious looks, rendered here by his lavish epaulettes and tassels and the heavy curls of his hair and side-burns. On the reverse, the French fleet is seen approaching Capri and a cluster of lifeboats and ships with broken masts that convey the British defeat. In the background, clouds of smoke rising from the island express the ferocity of the battle. |
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Accession number | 240-1886 |
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Record created | September 8, 2008 |
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