Napoleon, Josephine and their pug, Fortuné

Before 1796,anonymous Josephine, Napoleon and their dog

This anonymous drawing cannot be dated but it must be before they were famous. 

Napoleon could be any other officer, hat in hand, spurs on boots and sword by his side.  Josephine is simply  dressed. The cap she is wearing clearly shows how short she cuts her hair.  She did this to remind herself of the time she spent in the Carmelite prison in Paris. She expected to die during the time in the early Revolution when Robespierre was sending many people to the Guillotine..

They are both looking at the dog which did actually bite Napoleon on their first night together. He does look a little menacing but in fact they are both very fond of him.  

When he did finally die, Napoleon was abroad with the army and Josephine’s lover, a young soldier, provided his replacement.  Napoleon was furious when he received a letter in Cairo with the news of this new lover and immediately sent a letter to  his brother to began divorce proceedings.

Divorce was one of the earliest laws brought in by the revolution.  It marked the end of the Catholic Church playing a large role in French politics.

We can understand his anger.  He was a prominent general and felt humiliated that his wife had shamed him – and with a soldier!

How did the news leak out? 

Not only did Napoleon send the letter to Paris but one of his aides de camp was Hortense’s brother, Eugene.  He also wrote to his mother Josephine warning her of the storm to come.   Unfortunately the French ship carrying both letters to France was intercepted by the British Navy  and released (with no doubt some glee) to the newspapers.  The whole world knew the story.

Trouble is brewing!