Napoleon Entering New York. Chaim Koppelman and the Emperor. Works, 1957-2007
October 14, 2011
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May 6, 2012
Contemporary arts of the XX and XXI century
Napoleon Entering New York, A New Exhibition by Chaim Koppelman
Through his works, the American artist Chaim Koppelman, ideally opens the doors of New York to Napoleon, a recurring figure in the artist's long career. This historic exhibition held at the Museo Napoleonico in Rome presents prints, pastels, paintings and drawings which Chaim Koppelman did over six decades on the meaning of Napoleon to him. In the 1950s, as part of his study of Aesthetic Realism, Chaim attended a lecture by Eli Siegel on the character of Napoleon. Referring to a work by Eli Faure, Mr. Siegel explained something never seen before: "Napoleon," he said, "felt the injustices of the past should be changed." Yes, "he had a tremendous desire for power, but also, he wanted to be welcomed by the masses." Chaim Koppelman was so deeply affected by this idea that he put Napoleon into the 20th century, a man of opposites, in New York, in Coney Island, cavorting on the beach. With his fertile imagination, Chaim did work which showed Napoleon in an entirely new way, in entirely new circumstances: a figure with an ego, in his familiar hat, and also a man of the people. Napoleon retreated from Moscow as Meissonier showed, but he then went to Brooklyn, Chaim Koppelman's hometown.
OPENING HOURS
Tuesday-Sunday: 9.00 am - 7.00 pm; December 24 and 31: 9.00 am - 13.30 pm (last admission 1/2 hour before closing time
Closed Monday, December 25, January 1, May 1.
CHARGES
Adults € 5,50 Concessions € 4,50