Napoleon Marches Into Southern California Oct. 11, 2009

MUZEO UNVEILS OPULENT “TREASURES OF NAPOLÉON” OCT. 11, 2009

New Exhibition Makes Only West Coast Stop; Showcases Over 300 Antiquities From the Personal Effects of One of the World’s Most Important Historical Figures

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2009) - - On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, MUZEO (the noted center for arts, knowledge, entertainment, and culture in Anaheim, CA) presents its biggest exhibition to date with the opening of the opulent Treasures of NAPOLÉON. The elaborate and elegantly appointed traveling exhibition (making its only west coast stop in Anaheim) offers MUZEO patrons the rare opportunity to see beyond the “legend” of Napoléon Bonaparte in order to gain an understanding of one of the world’s great historical figures. It also shows how art and design played a key role in creating not only his Empire, but also his lasting place in history and in the public’s consciousness.

Treasures of NAPOLÉON features more than 300 impressive antiquities drawn from the extensive private collection of Pierre-Jean Chalençon (typically not available on view even in Europe), including original framed paintings, sculptures, personal effects, prints, and rare documents, as well as furniture from the Imperial palaces - all on view at the MUZEO through Jan, 8, 2010. Visitors from throughout Southern California will have the opportunity to see and appreciate the type of historic objects and art that are rarely seen outside the halls of the great museums and palaces of Europe.

The extraordinary artifacts on display in Treasures of NAPOLÉON trace the seminal historic figure’s life including: the earliest known letter in his hand; the valise that brought him the signed Louisiana Purchase documents from America; the sword that proclaimed him Emperor in the Coronation Ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral; his camp bed from the Battle of Wagram; his personal map of the French Empire (1812); the clothes he wore soon before his death; and in his own hand, the first will he wrote during exile on the desolate island of St. Helena.

Perhaps the signature artifact in the exhibition is one of Napoléon’s legendary hats that he wore during the Battle of Essling in 1809. Wearing the brim aligned to his shoulders to distinguish himself from the other officers on the battlefield, Napoléon wore these now iconic hats as he strode across the European continent and into the pages of history.

In addition to Napoléon’s bicorn hat the exhibition also contains paintings, sketches and sculpture by the greatest artists of the time including: Gros, David, Canova, Gerard, Isabey, Houdon, Percier, Fontaine, Delaroche, Chaudet, Vernet, Mauzaisse, and more. Silver, porcelain, textiles, furniture and jewelry on display come from the finest manufacturers of 1st Empire France. Among the many featured decorative art pieces is the dramatic 12-foot high Imperial bed of the Emperor’s brother Jérôme Bonaparte, King of Westphalia.

This one-of-a-kind collection has captivated nearly 200,000 people since the tour began in 2004. The North American tour of the Chalençon Collection gives the public the chance to see a number of items on display for the very first time.

“Treasures of NAPOLÉON’ is our biggest exhibition to date in terms of the display itself and the ancillary events surrounding and supporting it over the next three months,” remarked Peter Comiskey, founding executive director of MUZEO. “We are thrilled to be showcasing such an impressive exhibition as we celebrate three years of bringing renowned traveling exhibitions to MUZEO. “NAPOLÉON’ represents the most visually stunning and elegant exhibition we have ever presented - it is truly impressive.”

Born in 1769, by the age of 26, Napoléon was a triumphant general whose lightening-fast campaigns had transformed warfare forever and changed the political face of Europe. At 35 he crowned himself emperor of France and set about ruling 70 million people. He ended feudalism, brought equality to Jews and Arabs, reorganized the outdated governments of the French empire into streamlined, efficient administrations that rewarded talent and hard work instead of status and privilege, and instituted a system of civil law known as the Napoleonic Code.

By age 52, Napoléon was dead, having successfully fought an alliance of European powers almost continuously for nearly 20 years, until the cost in lives and disrupted commerce became too much, and he met final defeat at Waterloo. He was exiled to the remote and desolate Atlantic island of St. Helena where he died in 1821.

Admission to Treasures of NAPOLÉON is as follows: $13 Adult Admission; $9 Children Admission (12 and Under); Children 3 and under are free; Students with ID and Seniors – 62 and over ($10.00). MUZEO Open Access Members (Free); Adult Member Discount Pass ($6.00); Children Member Discount Pass ($4.50). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For general MUZEO information, please call 714 – 95-MUZEO (956-8936) or visit www.MUZEO.org.

The Treasures of NAPOLÉON exhibition tour has been organized by Exhibits Development Group in cooperation with Cultural Arts Entertainment Group and sponsored at the MUZEO by Advanced Development & Investment, Inc.; Anaheim White House Restaurant; Bette & Wylie Aitken; Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation; Terry & Leslie Adams.

MUZEO, the museum of celebration and understanding located at 241 South Anaheim Boulevard in Anaheim, CA., is designed to broaden awareness of matters and issues outside of its immediate environment through the presentation of internationally renowned traveling exhibitions, presentations and unique programming designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.

A new model for urban cultural centers the MUZEO features is a 25,000 square foot complex that encompasses Anaheim’s original Carnegie Library (built in 1908) and a state-of-the art gallery space that has been seamlessly integrated into an urban setting, intimately surrounded by two connecting courtyards, apartment loft living and street-level retail outlets.
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