Ward (E.) Josephine signing the Act of her Divorce 1853 {1888} NGV [PA]

Ward, Edward Matthew (1816-79; English)
Josephine signing the Act of her Divorce 1853
Oil on canvas, 133.6 x 167.6 cm
Purchased, 1888
National Gallery of Victoria (p.313.1-1)

“This picture represents an event which took place in the Grand Cabinet of the Emperor Napoleon at the Tuileries on the evening of the 16^th December, 1809” (NGV 1894). Napoleon is visible in the middle ground to the left, brooding on his lack of an heir.

Ward was well known for his historical frescoes in the Houses of Parliament, London (1852ff.). This canvas, first shown at the RA in 1853, was purchased from the Centennial International Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1888.

Refs.

AR 1888, p.36; NGV 1894, p.76 (IV.McArthur Gallery, no.18; ill.); NGV 1905, p.87 (III.McArthur Gallery, no.18; ill.) [£997/10] 

For the artist, see Bénézit 14, pp.640-41; see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Matthew_Ward