Napoleon, when first consul, & madame Josephine, (his first wife) in the Garden at Malmaison

Napoleon and Josephine pose in the garden of their chateau, Malmaison. The image is a combination of historical accuracy and fictional representation: while Napoleon and Josephine are depicted realistically, their property is represented in much better condition than it actually was.

Napoleon stands to Josephine’s right as she sits on a bench in the garden at their chateau, Malmaison. Napoleon is wearing his military uniform and hat. Josephine is wearing a white dress with a red shawl and gold headband. Behind the two is their property. What is shown includes the chateau itself, a guesthouse, and a path connecting the two. Both the chateau and the guesthouse are white and appear to be well-kept. There are few trees or plants.

The clothing and positioning of Napoleon and Josephine are both intended to play off gender stereotypes. Napoleon, although standing outside his chateau, is clothed in full military garb. Conversely, Josephine wears a feminine dress and pleasantly sits upon a bench. Her skin is unnaturally white, as if to force the idea of her purity.

Cruikshank depicts Napoleon and Josephine with historical accuracy and thus without overt exaggeration. However, the inaccuracy of the historical depiction of Malmaison results in near propaganda. Historical documentation reveals Malmaison was not luxurious nor even in good condition.

George, Prince of Wales, became King in 1820. Cruikshank had previously depicted the Prince in humiliating activities. However, with his succession to the throne, Cruikshank and his brother Robert signed a contract with the king agreeing to desist from creating images of him in immoral situations (H. Evans, Man Who Drew 5).

The Romantic period engendered the rising status of women in society. With the aid of Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, as well as the liberal views of men like Percy Shelley and William Blake, women began the gradual ascent to equality. Although Josephine had a heavily publicized promiscuous reputation, the liberal attitude toward women’s sexuality made her actions less controversial. These attitudes were so liberal, Shelley even advocated open marriages in order to free women from “the insubordination in marriage” (N. King, Romantics 40). Such changing perspectives may have resulted in Napoleon’s acceptance of Josephine’s past.