Pierre-Jean David d'Angers - The Empress Josephine (1763-1814) - Walters 54832

Born Marie-Josèph-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie in Trois-Islets, Martinique, she married Alexandre de Beauharnais. As his widow, she married Bonaparte in 1796. As Empress, her extravagance, rumored infidelity, and failure to bear Napoleon a male heir, caused Napoleon to annul their marriage in 1810. Retaining the title of empress, Josephine retired to Malmaison, where she continued to entertain in high style. Czar Alexander I was her benefactor until her death.