We spent (for me) an exhausting afternoon at the Napoleon
Exhibition. In a word I would describe
it as ‘splendid’ rather than using other typical art adjectives.
Apart from marvelling at the heights of achievement, and depths
of failure of this leader it is beyond me to say something original about the exhibition itself
when my reactions are encapsuled completely in a long appreciation by Wendy
Cavenett in the Melbourne Review, (that eagerly awaited awaited free monthly that I like so much I am a paying subscriber). Here is the link: Napoleon-Revolution to
Empire Let the last appreciative word be given to
her—“In an era where digital is replacing the tangible, it is Napoleon’s idea
that “Greatness is nothing unless it be lasting” that suddenly seems to carry
new meaning.”
A final confessional reflection. Some years ago I was seduced by the print beauty of Folio Society edition books, and bought an exorbitant number of them. Thomas Carlyle’s The French Revolution in 3 volumes, and David G. Chandler’s The Campaigns of Napoleon also in 3 volumes, adorn our shelves still unread. This exhibition may yet provoke me to embark on the ambition of perusing of both works.
A final confessional reflection. Some years ago I was seduced by the print beauty of Folio Society edition books, and bought an exorbitant number of them. Thomas Carlyle’s The French Revolution in 3 volumes, and David G. Chandler’s The Campaigns of Napoleon also in 3 volumes, adorn our shelves still unread. This exhibition may yet provoke me to embark on the ambition of perusing of both works.
