Imagination rules the world

Napoleon was fascinated with Australia. Who knew? Apparently a lot of people and the fact that Australia was referred to as Terre Napoleon for qute some time, may just give some sort of link away.

I was oblivious to this fact until my recent trip to the National Gallery of Victoria.

After a cup of tea, a Napoleon (ah the thought that goes into these things), and a very academic lecture in French (it had nothing to do with the exhibition, but was an interesting insight into Napoleon's love of art and literature and his fascination with mythology, and, ultimately, with mythologizing himself), we were let loose on the many objects, symbols and images which represent Napoleon and Josephine.

Each object, with its wealth of back-story to it, contributed to a rich, and slightly overwhelming experience. The story of Napoleon, and his rise to power and fame, his love for Josephine, his love of the arts and knowledge, his insatiable desire to have it all, is the story of revolution, discovery, and also, a pulsing human-ness.