Napoleon's missing hand, explained

Vox
18 Dec 202008:21
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script explores the iconic image of Napoleon Bonaparte with his hand in his coat, a pose that became a portrait cliché. It delves into the historical origins of the gesture, tracing it back to Ancient Greece and its evolution through the centuries. The script reveals that Napoleon's adoption of the pose was a strategic move to convey modesty and leadership, effectively used in propaganda by his official painter, Jacques-Louis David. The hand-in-coat gesture persisted beyond Napoleon, influencing early photography and shaping public perception of the historical figure.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The book 'Dear Napoleon, I Know you’re dead, but…' is about a child writing letters to the historical figure Napoleon Bonaparte.
  • 🎨 The cover of the book depicts Napoleon's iconic pose with one hand in his coat, a detail that has become a cultural stereotype.
  • 🤔 People's perceptions of Napoleon's pose vary widely, with many not associating the hand-in-coat gesture with him initially.
  • 🏰 Napoleon Bonaparte is a well-known historical figure for his military campaigns and rule over the First French Empire.
  • 🖼️ The hand-in-coat pose has been depicted in numerous portraits of Napoleon, becoming a recognizable part of his image.
  • 🤷‍♂️ Speculations about the reason for Napoleon's hand-in-coat gesture include a deformed hand or stomach pain, but these are not the true reasons.
  • 🕴️ The gesture originated from ancient Greek oratory practices and became a symbol of respectability and modesty in portraiture.
  • 👔 The pose was a common cliché in 18th-century portraiture, often chosen to convey nobility or by artists who found hands difficult to paint.
  • 👑 Napoleon's adoption of the hand-in-coat gesture was a strategic move to craft a public image of modesty and leadership.
  • 🎭 The portrayal of Napoleon in Jacques-Louis David's 1812 painting is a significant example of how art can be used for propaganda, emphasizing his hardworking and modest nature.
  • 📸 The hand-in-coat gesture continued to be used in early photography, providing a distinguished look and practical solution for long exposure times.
Q & A
  • What is the title of the book mentioned in the script and what is its main theme?

    -The title of the book is 'Dear Napoleon, I Know you're dead, but…'. The main theme revolves around a kid who writes letters to Napoleon Bonaparte, who is deceased.

  • What is the peculiar aspect of Napoleon's portrayal in the book that the narrator finds intriguing?

    -The peculiar aspect is Napoleon's depiction with one hand always in his coat, a pose that the main character of the book seems to be obsessed with.

  • What did the narrator find out when they asked coworkers about their impression of Napoleon's pose?

    -The narrator discovered that almost everyone did a typical hero pose, and not the 'hand in the coat' gesture, which was a surprise to the narrator.

  • How is Napoleon Bonaparte historically remembered?

    -Napoleon Bonaparte is historically remembered as both an influential military commander and a ruthless, power-hungry tyrant who ruled the First French Empire.

  • What is the historical origin of the 'hand in the coat' pose?

    -The 'hand in the coat' pose has its documented roots in Ancient Greece, where orator Aeschines claimed that restricting the movement of one hand was the proper way to speak in public.

  • Why did the 'hand in the coat' pose become popular in portraiture?

    -The pose became popular as it was associated with restraint and respectability, and it was also a convenient choice for portrait artists since hands are difficult to paint.

  • How did Napoleon use the 'hand in the coat' pose to his advantage?

    -Napoleon used the pose to project an image of modesty and steady leadership, which was a stark contrast to the caricatures of him as a small man with a hot head.

  • Who painted the famous portrait of Napoleon in his study, and what year was it painted?

    -The famous portrait of Napoleon in his study was painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1812.

  • What does the portrait of Napoleon in his study depict, and why is it significant?

    -The portrait depicts a modest, hardworking Napoleon working late into the night on the Napoleonic Code. It is significant because it serves as an effective example of propaganda, contrasting with other contemporary images of Napoleon.

  • How did the 'hand in the coat' pose continue to be used after Napoleon's time?

    -The pose continued as a trend in early portrait photography, with notable sitters like Karl Marx and Louis Daguerre adopting the gesture, and it was also common in portraits of soldiers during the American Civil War.

  • What misconceptions about Napoleon's appearance did the narrator find among people they asked?

    -The narrator found that most people had misconceptions about Napoleon's appearance, focusing on his short stature and vanity, and not recognizing the more important depictions of him in art and history.

Outlines
00:00
📚 The Napoleonic Hand-in-Coat Cliché

This paragraph delves into the cultural fascination with Napoleon Bonaparte's iconic pose, where he is often depicted with one hand tucked inside his coat. The script discusses a book from the narrator's childhood that highlights this peculiar fascination. It also explores the historical context behind this pose, tracing its origins back to Ancient Greece and its significance in portraiture as a symbol of respectability and restraint. The paragraph further examines the role of this gesture in Napoleon's public image, contrasting it with common caricatures of him as a short-tempered man, and how it became a distinctive feature of his representation in art and popular culture.

05:04
🖌️ Napoleon's Portraits and Propaganda

The second paragraph focuses on the role of portraiture in shaping Napoleon Bonaparte's image, particularly the famous painting by Jacques-Louis David, which portrays him in a modest and hardworking light. The summary discusses how this image served as effective propaganda, contrasting with the common caricatures of Napoleon in other countries. It highlights the painting's details that convey a story of dedication and success, such as the late hour indicated by the clock and the presence of the Napoleonic Code and a map. The paragraph also touches on the legacy of the hand-in-coat gesture in portrait photography and its continued use in depicting distinguished subjects, including notable figures like Karl Marx and Louis Daguerre.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became the Emperor of the First French Empire. In the video, he is depicted as a historical figure with a distinctive hand-in-coat pose that became a part of his public image, and his portrayal in various media is discussed, including his depiction as a military commander and a tyrant.
💡Hand-in-coat pose
The hand-in-coat pose refers to the gesture of placing one hand inside the coat, which was a common portrait cliché in the 18th and 19th centuries. It symbolized restraint and respectability. In the video, this pose is associated with Napoleon and is discussed in the context of his public image and its historical significance in portraiture.
💡Portraiture cliché
A portraiture cliché is a common or overused pose, expression, or theme in portrait art. The video explains that the hand-in-coat pose was a cliché long before Napoleon, and it was used to convey a sense of modesty and authority in portraits, eventually becoming a trademark of Napoleon's image.
💡Public image
Public image refers to the perception of a person or entity by the general public. The video discusses how Napoleon's public image was carefully crafted through art and media, particularly through the use of the hand-in-coat pose, to project an image of a modest and hardworking leader.
💡Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of conflicts during the early 19th century involving Napoleon's French Empire and various European coalitions. The video mentions these wars as a testament to Napoleon's military success and his quest for power, which contributed to his fame and influence.
💡Jacques-Louis David
Jacques-Louis David was a prominent French painter during the time of Napoleon. The video highlights his portrait of Napoleon in his study as a significant piece of propaganda that effectively portrayed Napoleon in a modest and hardworking light, which was a stark contrast to other contemporary images.
💡Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was a comprehensive set of laws established under Napoleon's rule, which reformed the French legal system. In the video, the code is mentioned in the context of a portrait where Napoleon is depicted as having worked all night to complete this legislation, symbolizing his dedication to governance.
💡Propaganda
Propaganda refers to information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view. The video discusses how certain portraits of Napoleon, including the one by Jacques-Louis David, served as propaganda to shape public perception of him as a leader.
💡Portrait photography
Portrait photography is a genre of photography that captures the personality and likeness of a person. The video mentions that the hand-in-coat pose was also a trend in early portrait photography, where it helped to give subjects a distinguished look and maintain focus during long exposure times.
💡Etiquette guide
An etiquette guide is a book or manual that provides advice on socially acceptable behavior. The video references 'The Rudiments of Genteel Behavior,' a 1737 British etiquette guide, which declared that keeping a hand in one's coat was key to posturing oneself with 'manly boldness, tempered with becoming modesty.'
💡Peacock chair
The peacock chair, also known as a wicker chair, is a piece of furniture that became popular in portraiture due to its distinctive design. The video mentions the chair in the context of a photo of Charlie Chaplin dressed as Napoleon, noting its prevalence in many portraits and hinting at a separate video discussing its history.
Highlights

The book 'Dear Napoleon, I Know you're dead, but…' centers around a child writing letters to the deceased Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon Bonaparte is often depicted with one hand in his coat, a detail that fascinated the book's reader.

Most people do not initially associate Napoleon with the hand-in-coat pose when asked to imitate him.

Napoleon's military campaigns in the early 1800s significantly expanded the 'First French Empire'.

Napoleon is remembered for both his military prowess and his reputation as a ruthless tyrant.

The hand-in-coat pose is a recurring theme in numerous portraits of Napoleon.

Speculations about Napoleon's hand being deformed or a symptom of stomach cancer are debunked.

The hand-in-coat gesture was a portrait cliché long before Napoleon, with roots in Ancient Greece.

The gesture symbolized respectability and was advised in 'The Rudiments of Genteel Behavior' for a manly yet modest posture.

The hand-in-coat pose was popular in mid-1700s portraits for its association with nobility and ease for artists.

Napoleon's adoption of the hand-in-coat pose in Jacques-Louis David's portrait was a strategic move for his public image.

The portrait of Napoleon in his study by David is a significant example of propaganda, depicting him as a modest, hardworking leader.

Napoleon's non-posed portrait by David became popular due to its stark contrast to other contemporary caricatures of him.

The hand-in-coat gesture continued beyond Napoleon's death, influencing early portrait photography.

Notable figures like Karl Marx adopted the hand-in-coat gesture in their portraits, indicating its lasting impact.

The gesture was also common in portraits of American Civil War soldiers, providing a distinguished look and practical focus during long exposure times.

Many people's impressions of Napoleon are based on his short stature and vanity, rather than the historical portraiture.

Charlie Chaplin's portrayal of Napoleon in a photo captures the hand-in-waistcoat gesture and the peacock chair, another portraiture cliché.

Transcripts
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