Random Pensées

From King of Spain to Earl of Perth Amboy?

Ok, not really the Earl of Perth Amboy or the Duke of Newark or the Lord of Trenton, but the Count de Survilliers. Today's history link points to the historical oddity of the former King of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte, coming to live in exile in New Jersey in 1816 at the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars. Yes, that Napoleon was Joe's (we can call him Joe since he moved to New Jersey and, in fact, we can probably call him Joey if we feel like it) brother. Joey Bonaparte (damn, that has a ring to it) lived in Burlington County, New Jersey at Point Breeze in a stunning sounding estate, furnished with the spoils of aristocratic collections he had looted while his brother raped Europe. The paintings he brought with him included works by Murillo, Rubens, Canaletto, Velasquez, Snyders, Rembrandt, da Vinci, Gerard and Vernet. After he died, the paintings and the contents of his estate were all auctioned off.

There is an excellent link to the whole story here, so good, in fact, that I don't really think I have anything to add.

That said, who knew New Jersey played host to Napoleon's older brother? Very interesting.

Go here and see some of the artifacts from the sale of the estate.