BONHAMS ARE TO SELL A NEAR-CONTEMPORARY PORTRAIT OF NAPOLEON PAINTED BY HIS VALET AND CLOSE COMPANION LOUIS-JOSEPH-NARCISSE MARCHAND IN THE BRITISH & CONTINENTAL PICTURES AUCTION IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE ON 30.NOVEMBER. MARCHAND WAS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE'S VALET AND FRIEND. HE BECAME AN IMPERIAL SERVANT IN 1811 AND REMAINED FAITHFUL TO NAPOLEON AFTER HIS ABDICATION AND WAS REWARDED WITH PROMOTION TO MAIN VALET. WHILE NAPOLEON WAS ON HIS DEATHBED HE BESTOWED THE TITLE OF COUNT ON MARCHAND, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY NAPOLEON III IN 1869. HE KEPT EXTENSIVE MEMOIRS WHICH PROVIDE HISTORIANS WITH DETAILED AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF THE EMPEROR AS WELL AS A SOBER AND MOVING ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH. THE PEN AND INK WASH PORTRAIT IS DATED 1832, MEASURES 11.5 X 9.5cm AND GIVES AND INTIMATE VIEW OF NAPOLEON AND IS ESTIMATED AT £400-600.
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