Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte
With Act Additional to the Constitution

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Acte Additionnel aux Constitutions de l'Empire Acte Additionnel aux Constitutions de l'Empire
Acte Additionnel aux Constitutions de l'Empire (du 22 Avril, 1815.)
Binet, rue Aubry le Boucher, 34, Paris: 1815
Aquatint
16.5 x 14.5 inches
23 x 19 inches, mat
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Napoleon, dressed in in a cape and tunic with a large medallion around his neck, stands beside a large inscribed tablet detailing the Act Additional to the Constitution. The imperial eagle perches on the tablet and the French tricolor flag billows on the right.

In the spring of 1814, Napoleon was forced to abdicate the throne of France by the allied forces of Europe (including England and Prussia) as well as a contingent of French citizens who wished to reinstate the king. Less than a year later, it was clear that Louis XVIII was not meeting some of the conditions of the treaty, and the middle class, who had made gains under Napoleon, became increasingly restless as they saw the new regime taking steps to limit their power. Napoleon assembled an army and marched across France to an enthusiastic welcome. Louis fled Paris and Napoleon reclaimed power on March 20, 1815. On April 22, he introduced the Act Additional to the Constitution as part of his promise to restore political liberty. Napoleon's second regime came to an abrupt end within three months when the allies decisively defeated him at the Battle of Waterloo.

Reference:

Pack, Harvest J. and Peter W. Marks, Steven R. Dahlin, ed. "Napoleon Escapes from Elba, but is Defeated at Waterloo: 1815." Western and Central Europe Chronology, North Park University. 9 April 1997. http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/WestEurope/Waterloo.html.