The Napoleonic Empire Style was a design movement involving decorative and visual arts, that was popularized from 1800 to 1815, under Napoleon I.
![Arc de Triomphe de l'Ètoile taken in an old black and white photo. The structure consists of a single arch that sits in Paris, France.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Arc-de-Triomphe-of-the-Place-de-lÉtoile.jpg)
The Napoleonic Empire style, which took its name from Napoleon I, was inspired by Ancient Egypt and imperial Rome. Signifigantly, Napoleon imposed a centralization on art to control architects. In architecture, the style was exemplified by monuments as Chalgrin’s Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile. Further, in painting, by Jacques-Louis David, and in sculpture, by Antonio Canova.
Biedermeier
The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, the Federal style in the United States, and the Regency style in Britain.
![The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine on December 2, 1804 painting.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Consecration-of-the-Emperor-Napoleon-and-the-Coronation-of-Empress-Joséphine.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/7d8381b8-34ba-4853-b961-d5f88ec2df85 by aiva.
![Photo of the while stone statue of Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker, by Antonio Canova.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/290px-Napoleon-Canova-London_JBU01.jpg)
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_as_Mars_the_Peacemaker
![20-franc piece with Napoleon I's profile.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20-franc-piece-Napoleon-I.jpg)
If Directoire is Doric in nature, Napoleonic Empire is instead Corinthian. Napoleonic Empire Style’s interest in the architecture and decorative motifs of the Roman Empire is a key feature of this style. Additionally, chairs were made more for display. Etruscan and Egyptian motifs of Napoleonic Empire Style chairs included:
- Greek key designs and painted Etruscan scenes
- Animal motifs
- Egyptian masks
![Design for an Empire Daybed with a pink cushion, red metal with gold accents for the body of the bed.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Design-for-an-Empire-Daybed-.jpg)
Features of the Style
- Simplistic brass ornament, with classical leanings
- Marble tops
- Revolutionary-inspired motifs
- bees, sheaves of grain, and cornucopias symbols of prosperity
![Dark wood bathroom cabinet with a white stone countertop and metal hardware.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cabinet-commode-à-vantaux.jpg)
The French architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine designed furnishings for the estate rooms of Napoleon, and their ideas were made public in their work, “Recueil de décorations intérieures.” Altogether, the main archaeological discoveries of the Empire style led to direct copying of classical themes in furniture with an additional Egyptian ornament, likening the experiences of Napoleon in Egypt.
![Drawing of the bust of Percier drawn in black and white.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Portrait-of-the-Architect-Charles-Percier.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1d6c19a5-3e0b-4d8e-b877-10c85c018296 by Rijksmuseum
![A portrait of Fontaine in a black suit with a white collar, a top hat in his right hand and a cane in his left hand.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Portrait-of-Pierre-François-Léonard-Fontaine.jpg)
Info source:
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/empr/hd_empr.htm