Who would have thought that Napoleon’s great conquests would lead him to Montréal?
Thousands of miles from the European countries over which he ruled, the Emperor of France comes to one of the museum’s galleries, thanks to a major gift by the late businessman and Montréal collector, Ben Weider.
The Napoleon galleries open free to the public, hold one of the most important collections of items dedicated to Napoleon I in North America.
Personal effects from this giant of history—which include his famous bicorne (cocked hat) worn during the Russian campaign in 1812, a cartonnier from the library at Malmaison and a milk jug with the coat of arms of Napoleon and Marie-Louise—will be on display along with hundreds of artworks commissioned under the First Empire.
The objects, from Mr. Weider’s personal collection as well as gifts and long-term loans from other private collections, reveal the unique and longstanding connection between Québec and France and the fascination Napoleon still holds for us today.
Long live the Emperor!
Napoleon at the MMFA
