Napoleon I Reading his Letter of Abdication, 1814

According to the artist's son, this painting was started during George Richmond's stay in Paris as a young man. He was in France in August 1828 - May 1829, and is said to have lodged with Napoleon's former breechesmaker, who gave him graphic descriptions of the Emperor's appearance. The painting consists of an original canvas measuring 85 x 68 cm on which the figure of Napoleon is painted to the waist, and an extension at the bottom and sides which brings it to its present size. On the back of the original canvas is a discarded portrait of a male academic, unless it is the "spoiled" self-portrait Richmond apparently painted in Calais before travelling on to Paris.