Portrait of Julie Clary Bonaparte by Francois Gerard, 1808. The walls were covered with oil paintings, particularly of young females, with less clothing about them than they or you would have found comfortable in our cold climate, and much less than we found agreeable when the Count, without ceremony, led us before them, and enumerated the beauties of paintings with the air of an accomplished amateur". The curtains, canopy and furniture were of light blue satin, trimmed with silver. "It consisted of a chamber, dressing and bathing-room, with a small studio, or rather boudoir. ![]() The Woodward book includes a passage by a visitor who had the privilege of viewing the Count's summer sleeping apartment. Marble statue of Ceres by Francois-Joseph Bosio, Paris, c. Woodward book BONAPARTE'S PARK AND THE MURATS. In addition, there was a 'Statuary Room' containing antique bronze castings from Pompeii, a "Young Diana and Hound" by Bartolini, a figure of "Ceres" and "A Female Figure in Roman Dress" both by Bosio, and several busts of the Bonaparte family members by Conova, according to the E. Some accounts say that the former stables near the road were incorporated into the new house with even more opulent rooms than before including a grand staircase, a state dining room, and a library, all decorated with paintings by Velasquez, Rubens, Canaletto, Murillo, Rembrandt and DaVinci. 1817-1820.Ī fire in 1820 caused great destruction to the mansion, but many furnishings were saved and a new house was constructed. Point Breeze, The Estate of Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte at Bordentown, New Jersey"Īttributed to Charles B. Enlarged to 1,800 acres, the property was improved with trees planted, twelve miles of bridle paths and carriage drives added, and an arched brick causeway across a man-made lake was constructed, all at a cost believed to be over $300,000 (over four and a half million in today's dollars). The Bonaparte estate became a cultural center and often guests were rowed up the Delaware River in a sixteen-oar barge, given to the Count by Girard. Image from New Jersey Historical Society.īonaparte sometimes lived in Philadelphia during the winter and became close friends with Stephen Girard, General Thomas Cadwalader and Joseph Hopkinson, president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Point Breeze is visible on the horizon on the right. "View from Bordentown Hill on the Delaware" by C.B. The Count was known as a generous, gracious host, entertaining guests both local citizens and friends who were some of the most distinguished men in the country. Reportedly financed with the sale of some of the crown jewels of Spain, Bonaparte was comfortably ensconced in a mansion with his fine and decorative arts collections, library, and entourage. After a time in New York City and then Philadelphia, Joseph Bonaparte became enamored with the countryside of western New Jersey and bought an estate of 211 acres called Point Breeze in Bordentown, near the confluence of Crosswicks Creek and the Delaware River for $17,000. But with an 1816 French law banishing the Bonapartes from France, Joseph Bonaparte and his party (minus his wife) sailed to New York incognito. Joseph Bonaparte in a portrait by Jean-Baptiste Wicar, 1803.Ībdicating the Spanish throne after the defeat of French forces to the British in the Battle of Vitoria in 1813, he returned to France. Bonaparte, as he was sometime called, was one of the most significant of the emigres to become a catalyst in bringing European culture to early 19th century America. There were large numbers of artists and craftsmen who came to this country seeking opportunities, but Mr. ![]() ![]() Not so many outside the Mid-Atlantic region seem to be aware that Joseph Bonaparte, former King of Spain and the Indies (and King of Naples before that) and elder brother of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I, lived in the United States as the Comte de Survilliers.
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