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Little Joseph Bonaparte

Lorenzo Bartolini 1829

The “heroic” portrait bust depicts little Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte, Prince of Canino and Musignano, son of Charles Lucien. Made in 1829, it was commissioned by his maternal grandmother Julie Clery, wife of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother.

Technical information

Author: Lorenzo Bartolini
Title: Little Joseph Bonaparte
Date: 1829
Material and technique: Plaster
Size: h 38 cm
Location: Palazzo Pretorio Museum
Third Floor

The original marble from which this plaster sculpture is derived belongs to the Roman collection of Giulia Bonaparte, Joseph's younger sister, who married Alessandro del Gallo, Marquis of Roccagiovine, in 1847.
On the bust are the nails that the artist used as key points from which to take measurements for the marble translation; it can therefore be assumed that the work was replicated several times. In addition, there is the inscription: “BARTOLINI FECE 1829” (MADE BY BARTOLINI 1829).
This portrait, together with that of Joachim Murat, also exhibited in the collection of the Palazzo Pretorio Museum, testifies to the deep relationship that bound Bartolini to the Bonaparte family.