On the European stage at the beginning of the 19th century, a woman sparked numerous legends with her beauty, intellect and daring behavior. She was the sister of Napoleon I, Polina · Bonaparte. From Corsican commoners to princesses of the French Empire to the "Venus of the Empire", Pollina's life is like a drama of ups and downs. Her beauty is timeless by the sculptor Canova, but her story is far more fascinating than a statue.
From Paris to Rome, from the Caribbean to Elba, Polina has traveled across Europe and the New World. Her life experienced the glory and decline of her family, witnessed the rise and fall of the empire, and finally died quietly in 1825. However, the legacy she left behind still shines through the ages of art and history.
The pearl of Corsica The empire shines
In 1780, a destined baby girl was born in Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica. This baby girl is Polina · Bonaparte, the future "Imperial Venus". Her father, Carlo· Bonaparte, was a local lawyer, and her mother, Maria·Leticia· Ramolino was a thrifty wife and mother.
When Polina was born, the Bonaparte family was just an ordinary family on the island of Corsica. However, the wheel of fortune soon began to turn. In 1768, France bought Corsica from the Republic of Genoa. In order to win over the local celebrities, the king bestowed nobility on the Bonaparte family.
This seemingly glamorous title did not bring Polina a good life. In 1785, at the age of five, Polina lost her father. The Bonaparte family, who were in the middle of the road, were in trouble. Polina, her mother and sisters had to do laundry to support the family.
A difficult childhood did not wear down Polina's nature. On the contrary, this experience shaped her love-and-hate, eclectic character. Polina, who did not receive an orthodox aristocratic education, always retained the imprint of a commoner in her bones.
Time flies, and Polina grows up. Her beauty is like a blooming rose, attracting countless eyes. At the same time, her brother Napoleon · Bonaparte also began to make a name for himself in his military career.
In 1796, Napoleon led the France army to a brilliant victory in Italy. This series of victories not only won honor for Napoleon, but also opened the door to the pinnacle of power for the entire Bonaparte family. Polina's life changed dramatically as a result.
In June 1797, at the age of 17, at the age of Napoleon, Polina married Major General Charles · Liclerk of the France Army. The marriage was both a political marriage and an important step for Polina to rise to high society. The following year, Polina gave birth to her only child, Delmid · Licklek.
However, the peaceful life did not last long. In 1802, Napoleon, who had become the first consul of France, decided to send Liclerc on an expedition to the Caribbean to quell the independence movement in French Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). Polina resolutely followed her husband to this remote and dangerous island.
In Santo Domingo, Polina showed her unique charm and personality. Despite being in a war-torn place, she still enjoys hosting banquets and even opening a botanical and botanical garden. Her actions have caused a lot of criticism, but Polina doesn't seem to care.
Unfortunately, the expedition ended in tragedy. General Ricklerk contracted yellow fever and died on November 1, 1802. Polina, who lost her husband, hurriedly returned to France with her young son and the remains of Liklerk.
After returning to France, Polina did not dwell in grief for long. In August 1803, under Napoleon's arrangement, Polina entered the marriage hall again. This time, her husband was Camillo · Borgese, a Italy nobleman and 6th Prince of Sulmona.
The marriage brought Polina a dowry of 500,000 francs and jewels worth 300,000 francs. In November of the same year, Polina moved to Rome with her son. When she first arrived in Rome, Polina also hired a teacher to learn high society etiquette and dance techniques.
However, the true character of the commoner in his bones was soon revealed. Polina soon grew tired of the rules of aristocratic life. She began to live a freewheeling life, causing quite a stir in the upper class of Rome.
In 1804, Pollina's six-year-old son, Delmead, died of a high fever. The blow made Polina's relationship with her husband even more estranged. However, the twist of fate did not stop there. In the same year, Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French Empire, and Polina received the title of princess.
From the daughter of an ordinary family in Corsica to the princess of the French Empire, Polina · Bonaparte's life has undergone a dramatic transformation. However, this was only the beginning of her storied life. Next, more exciting stories await the "Venus of the Empire".
Glory and wealth, political and sea ups and downs
Polina · Bonaparte's married life was full of ups and downs. Her first marriage began in 1797, when she was only 17 years old and in the prime of life. Napoleon single-handedly arranged the marriage, marrying his sister to Major General Charles · Licklerk of the France Army.
The marriage was both a political marriage and a shortcut to high society. Soon after their marriage, Polina gave birth to her only child, Delmead · Liclerk. However, the peaceful family life did not last long.
In 1802, Napoleon had become the first consul of France. He ordered Liclerk to lead his army to the Caribbean to quell the independence movement in French Saint-Domingo. Without hesitation, Polina decided to go with her husband. This decision came as a surprise to many, after all, expeditions are fraught with danger, and Polina is so delicate.
Upon arriving in Santo Domingo, Polina quickly adapted to her new surroundings. Not only did she not complain about the harsh conditions, but she enjoyed it. She opened a botanical and botanical garden in the local area, held various banquets, and became the focus of the local social circle.
However, fate is always unpredictable. General Ricklerk unfortunately contracted yellow fever and died on November 1, 1802. Polina, who lost her husband, hurriedly returned to France with her young son and the remains of Liklerk.
Returning to France, Polina did not dwell in grief for long. In August 1803, under Napoleon's arrangement, Polina entered the marriage hall again. This time, her husband was Camillo · Borgese, a Italy nobleman and 6th Prince of Sulmona.
This marriage brought Polina a rich dowry and jewelry. In November of the same year, Polina moved to Rome with her son and began her life in Italy. When she first arrived in Rome, Polina also hired a teacher to learn high society etiquette and dance techniques.
However, the true character of the commoner in his bones was soon revealed. Polina soon grew tired of the rules of aristocratic life. She began to live a freewheeling life, causing quite a stir in the upper class of Rome.
In 1804, Polina's life took another major turn. Her 6-year-old son, Delmead, died of a high fever. The blow made Polina's relationship with her husband even more estranged. However, the twist of fate did not stop there.
In the same year, Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French Empire, and Polina received the title of princess. From there, Polina officially became a member of the empire and began her political career.
As the younger sister of the emperor, Polina had a unique position in the political arena. She often attended various important diplomatic occasions and became an important symbol of Napoleon's regime. Although she is not directly involved in government affairs, her words and deeds will attract widespread attention.
Polina's beauty and charisma played an important role in political situations. She often appeared at various court events in stunning costumes, attracting countless attention. Her presence added a touch of color to Napoleon's court and also set up a vivid symbol for the image of the empire.
However, Polina's political career has not been without its challenges. Her extravagant life and debauchery often provoked criticism. Some accused her of being extravagant, others criticized her for misbehaving. These controversies caused some trouble for Napoleon's reign.
Despite this, Polina remained one of Napoleon's closest supporters. When Napoleon was in trouble, Polina was always firmly on her brother's side. She even advised Napoleon on many occasions and was influential in some important decisions.
Polina's political career also experienced the rise and fall of empires. When Napoleon's reign reached its zenith, Polina enjoyed supreme glory. However, with the defeat of Napoleon, Polina's position also began to waver.
In 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. Without hesitation, Polina chose to follow her brother. She gave up her comfortable life and traveled to this inhospitable island to accompany Napoleon. This act is a full demonstration of her loyalty to her family.
On the island of Elba, Polina continues to exert her charm and influence. She helped Napoleon maintain court life and appease the frustrated emperor. At the same time, she also became an important link between Napoleon and the outside world, delivering news for him and contacting supporters.
The political career of Polina · Bonaparte was like a mirror that reflected the rise and fall of Napoleon's empire. From Corsican commoner to imperial princess to exiled aristocracy, Pollina's story has witnessed the changes of an era. Her story is not only a personal legend, but also a wonderful historical epitome.
Carved and chiseled charm is famous
In the legendary life of Polina · Bonaparte, there is one experience that stands out. That was her encounter with the famous sculptor Antonio · Canova and the resulting sculptural masterpiece Venus Triumph. This story not only shows Polina's beauty and charm, but also becomes a good story in the history of art.
In 1804, Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French Empire. In order to highlight the cultural power of the empire, Napoleon invited Antonio · Canova, the most famous sculptor in Europe at the time, to Paris. Canova was tasked with creating a series of sculptures for the emperor's family.
When Canova first arrived in Paris, he was struck by Pollina's beauty. The Italy artist immediately came up with the idea of creating a sculpture for Polina. After some deliberation, Polina readily agreed to become Canova's model.
The creative process was not all smooth sailing. Canova's original idea was to cast Polina in the image of the goddess Diana. However, Polina was not happy with the idea. She believes that the chastity represented by the goddess Diana does not correspond to her character.
After some discussion, Canova and Polina reached a new consensus. They decided to create a half-naked recumbent statue based on the goddess Venus. This bold decision caused quite a stir at the time.
In order to create this statue, Polina did not hesitate to pose for a long time in a half-naked posture. Her behavior caused a lot of criticism in the aristocratic circles at that time. Polina, however, doesn't seem to care about the gossip.
Canova threw himself into his work. He observes Polina's posture over and over again, detailing every detail. In the process, Canova was not only attracted by Polina's beauty, but also by her unique temperament.
After months of hard work, the statue was finally completed. Canova named it Venus of Victory. The name alludes to both Polina's beauty and the triumph of Napoleon's empire.
As soon as the statue came out, it immediately caused a sensation. People marveled at Canova's virtuosity and were even more fascinated by Polina's beauty. Venus Triumph is hailed as the pinnacle of neoclassical sculpture and has become an important milestone in the history of art.
However, the fate of this statue was not peaceful. Pollina's husband, Camilo · Borgese, was disturbed by the image of his wife so "exposed". He decided to hide the statue so that only those with special permission could see it.
Despite this, the fame of Venus the Victorious quickly spread throughout Europe. People are vying to celebrate the beauty of this statue, and Polina's name is even louder. She was known as the "Venus of the Empire" and became one of the most famous beauties in Europe at the time.
The statue is not only a work of art, but also an important symbol of Polina's life. It perfectly captures Polina's beauty and charm, keeping her image alive and immortal. Even years after Polina's death, people still think of the beautiful statue of Venus when they think of her.
The creative process of "Venus the Victory" has also become a legend in Polina's life. People talk about her courage to show half-nudity for the sake of art, and admire her pursuit of beauty. This experience became one of the brightest pages in Polina's legendary life.
As time passed, the artistic value of Venus the Triumphant became more and more prominent. It is not only a testimony to Polina's beauty, but also a microcosm of an era. Through this statue, we seem to see the splendor and luxury of Napoleon's empire.
Today, Venus Triumph is housed in the Borghese Gallery in Rome. Every year, thousands of visitors come to see this legendary statue in action. In front of the statue, people can not only feel Canova's artistic talent, but also imagine the demeanor of that beautiful princess two hundred years ago.
The story of Polina · Bonaparte and Venus Triumph is a great story in the history of art. It not only shows the charm of a beautiful princess, but also witnesses the rise and fall of a glorious era. This statue has become a bridge between the past and the present, giving us a glimpse of history.
The Empire Declines Princess Watch
The fate of Napoleon's empire was like a huge drama, and Polyna · Bonaparte was undoubtedly one of the most loyal supporting characters in this drama. In 1814, Napoleon suffered the defeat of Waterloo and was exiled to the island of Elba. The news shocked the whole of Europe and completely changed the trajectory of Polina's life.
While the rest of the family drew a line with Napoleon, Polina chose to stand firmly on her brother's side. Without hesitation, she left behind the luxurious life in Rome and went to Elba Island alone. This decision came as a surprise to many, after all, Polina has always been known for her extravagance.
Arriving on the island of Elba, Polina immediately threw herself into the work of improving the living conditions of Napoleon. She brought a large amount of jewelry with her, which she sold to improve living conditions on the island. Thanks to her efforts, the humble residence gradually became comfortable.
Polina not only took care of Napoleon's daily life, but also became an important link between him and the outside world. She used her network to deliver messages to Napoleon and contact supporters. These actions were risky, but Polina was undaunted.
In 1815, Napoleon fled Elba and returned to France. When the news came, Polina was recuperating in Italy. She immediately set off for France, hoping to stand by her brother's side again. However, fate gave her a cruel joke.
Just as Polina was on her way to France, Napoleon suffered a final defeat at Waterloo. By the time Polina finally arrived in France, Napoleon had been exiled to St. Helena. The blow was undoubtedly huge for Polina.
Despite the fact that Napoleon had already been exiled, Polina did not give up. She repeatedly applied to the United Kingdom government to accompany Napoleon to St. Helena. However, these requests were ruthlessly denied.
Unable to travel to St. Helena in person, Polina tried every means to help Napoleon. She ran around raising money to try to improve Napoleon's living conditions on the island. She even planned to organize a rescue operation, but it didn't work out for various reasons.
In 1821, bad news came. Napoleon died on the island of St. Helena. This news was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for Polina. She fell into a deep grief and even wanted to go with her brother at one point.
However, in the end, Polina chose to stay strong. She dedicatated the rest of her life to protect Napoleon's legacy and reputation. She collected and sorted out Napoleon's relics and recorded his life deeds, trying to leave a real image of Napoleon for history.
In the process, Polina's health deteriorated. Years of luxurious living and frequent childbirth have taken a heavy toll on her body. Still, she stuck to her mission.
In June 1825, Polina died in Florence at the age of 44. In the last moments of her life, she still thought about Napoleon. It is said that her last words on her deathbed were: "I die without regrets, because I did my duty." "
Pollina's life can be said to be closely linked to the rise and fall of Napoleon's empire. From an ordinary girl in Corsica, to a princess of the Empire, to an exiled nobleman, her life has experienced great ups and downs. However, no matter what the circumstances, her loyalty to her family has always been unwavering.
After Polina's death, her legendary story quickly became a topic of conversation. Some praise her beauty and charm, others admire her loyalty to the family, and others criticize her extravagance and debauchery. In any case, the name of Polina · Bonaparte has been forever engraved in history.
Nowadays, when we look back on Polina's life, we can't help but feel the impermanence of fate. Her story is not only a personal legend, but also a microcosm of an era. Through her experience, we seem to see the rise and fall of Napoleon's empire and feel the changes of that turbulent era.
The story of Polina · Bonaparte has left many questions worth thinking about for future generations. Is her beauty a blessing or a curse? Is her loyalty to her family commendable or blind? Does her lavish lifestyle bring her joy? There may never be a standard answer to these questions.
But one thing is undoubted, and that is that Polina · Bonaparte left a unique mark on history. Her beauty, her charm, and her loyalty have all become the talk of the town. Even today, 200 years later, her story still intrigues and discusses.
The life of Polyna · Bonaparte is like a symphony of ups and downs. From glory to decline, from the center of power to the place of exile, she has experienced the ups and downs of life. However, it is these experiences that shape her unique personality and make her story so compelling.