Napoleon On The Bellerophon

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Sir William Quiller Orchardson, 1880.  
 
A 74 gun third rate, the 'Billy Ruffian' saw it's share of action in the war with Napoleon's France.  The Emperor boarded the Bellerophon in 1815 to surrender, the beginning of his exile to St. Helena.  This stunning picture shows Napoleon as he must have looked.  The difference between victor and vanquished has been overturned here, Bonaparte is clearly thinking of how he will achieve his path back to power, and he was going to get it, you can bet.
The powder monkey leaning over the rail and pointing his arse at the Emperor has no significance at all.

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