Stability and freedom frequently clash. In 1772 Gustav III of Sweden opted for the former; he ran an autocoup, taking back control of the country from the parliament and sealing the deed on 21 August with a new constitution. Gustav’s family was edged out in the next century, with Napoleon’s Marshal Bernadotte moving from Prince… Continue reading #OTD 21 August
Tag: napoleon
#OTD 8 April
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but Art is in the eye of administrators. After Waterloo, the Louvre had a problem. It was required to return the Apollo Belvedere to the Vatican and the Venus de’ Medici to Florence. At the same time, Lord Elgin had just sold his marbles to the… Continue reading #OTD 8 April