Château de Malmaison and Bois-Préau unveil exhibition from Corsica to Napoleon Bonaparte

We're off to the Château de Malmaison , and in particular to the Château de Bois-Préau, which recently reopened its doors after 30 years of closure, to discover an original, never-before-seen exhibition entitled "Corsica 1769: The birth of Napoleon Bonaparte". This exhibition is a synthesis of three previous exhibitions presented at the Maison Bonaparte in 2018, 2020 and 2022, highlighting recently acquired knowledge about 18th-century Corsica.

Join us from March 29 to July 3, 2023, to plunge into the history of Napoleon Bonaparte, from his birthplace in Ajaccio. The work was carried out under the direction of Jean-Marc Olivesi, General Heritage Curator in charge of the Maison Bonaparte collections, in collaboration with a network of historians and academics.

This exhibition allows you to discover the Napoleonic houses and to encourage exchanges between them, with a view to the future of the Service à compétence nationale des musées nationaux des châteaux de Malmaison et de Bois-Préau, of which the Maison Bonaparte is a part.

This new exhibition reveals how the Bonaparte family was politically, socially and culturally integrated into Corsica in the 18th century. The exhibition highlights political movements in Corsica, such as the rebellions against Genoa's authority, which led to a treaty signed in Versailles between France and Genoa on May 15, 1768. The treaty transferred authority to France for ten years, which Genoa had the option of recovering once the associated costs had been reimbursed. In 1737, the Republic of Genoa had sought external military support to restore order on the rebellious island. However, their search for military aid ended in 1768 when France provided assistance.

The exhibition explores the cultural significance of 18th-century Corsica, influenced by Italian and French culture, and the coexistence of Corsican rural society with elites who were attracted by Enlightenment ideals. The exhibition presents the living quarters, furniture and clothing of the Bonaparte family alongside other noble families, highlighting the decorative arts of 18th-century Corsica.

The exhibition seeks to answer questions about the place of the Bonaparte family in Corsican society, from their roots in Corsica in the 15th and 16th centuries to Charles Bonaparte, Napoleon's father. The exhibition explores how the Bonapartes negotiated their position in Corsican society, notably with the help of Count Marbeuf, who was governor of the island and concerned about the future of the Bonaparte family, particularly the education of their children.

This exhibition was created in collaboration with the Service national de compétence, the Maison Bonaparte and various institutions in Corsica, such as the Département du patrimoine corse, the Musée corse, the Musée Pascal Paoli and other private collectors. It also features emblematic works from the Maison Bonaparte and various other museums, including the Genoese Governors' Palace, the Caraffa Palace and the Tomaso Prelà Heritage Library.

Finally, the exhibition features important loans from the Diplomatic Archives and the Musée national de Versailles et de Trianon, such as the Treaty of Versailles and a portrait of Étienne-François de Choiseul by Van Loo, which illustrate Corsica's connection with France.

The exhibition

The exhibition"1769, Corsica at the birth of Napoleon Bonaparte" is divided into several rooms. The first room deals with Corsica' s political situation in the 18th century, and the conflicts with Genoa that led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The second room presents Corsican society at the time, through watercolors of trades, maps of towns and terrier maps. The third room is devoted to the Maison Bonaparte, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, which is compared with other patrician houses. The fourth room is located in the grand salon blanc of the Château de Bois-Préau, where you can admire the furniture of the Corsican bourgeoisie and nobility, compared with that of the Maison Bonaparte. Finally, the last room allows you to discover Napoleon Bonaparte's youth, his first feats of arms, and his exceptional destiny.

Discover exceptional works such as Napoleon Bonaparte's Baptismal Act, Fortunato Castiglione's Mirror, Napoleon's childhood boule game, the painting of the Siege of Toulon and the bust of General Bonaparte.

In any case, it's a wonderful opportunity to discover the heart of French history!