© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011 Finalist
This photograph was produced as part of a larger series entitled ‘The Royal Dozen’ and focuses on 12 of history’s most fascinating rulers. Exploring the complexities of the famous, the infamous and the obscure, these portraits celebrate historical realities within the guise of contemporary fantasy, a kind of conversation between the past and present. ‘Napoleon I – Emperor of the French’ pays homage to the historical man and his symbols of empire during his rein. The eagle symbolises imperial Rome and the swarming worker bees signify the people, immortality and resurrection. This portrait is role-played by the artist, Alexia Sinclair.
The NPPP exhibition is selected from a national field of entries. The annual exhibition, now in its fourth year, reflects the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
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