Table of Contents
- Announcement: Meeting the Masterpiece Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, Which Will Lead You to Your Best Life
- Announcement: The Sure Value and Benefits That the Masterpiece Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne Offers You
- Announcement: The History and Background That the Craftsman Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Etched for You
- Announcement: The Power of Artwork and the Standards of a Masterpiece That Will Revolutionize Your Daily Life
- Announcement: The Current Location of the Masterpiece Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne and the Choice That Will Shape Your Future
Announcement: Meeting the Masterpiece Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, Which Will Lead You to Your Best Life
“Hello. You are always working so hard, aren’t you? This is Mimi Takamizawa. Today, please let me share a very special story with you.
Tell me, do you feel a genuine sense of purpose in your daily life?
Are you a little tired of every day feeling like a repetition of the same routine?
I want to deliver a new and surprising experience to you.
That is because you are the main character of your own story.
Today, I would like to talk with you about a wonderful masterpiece.
That work is Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, painted by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
First, let us talk about the basic facts that you most want to know.
The title of the work is Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne.
In French, it is called Napoléon Ier sur le trône impérial.
The artist is Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, a master whom France takes great pride in.
The year of creation was 1806. That was truly an era when history was moving dynamically.
The medium is oil on canvas.
The dimensions are 259 centimeters tall by 162 centimeters wide.
It is an imposing, grand masterwork that you have to look up at.
Do you know where this work is located today?
It is currently housed in the Army Museum inside Les Invalides in Paris, France.
Let us look together at what is depicted inside this large and magnificent painting.
In the center of the screen sits Napoleon I as Emperor.
He wears his coronation robes.
He sits on a round-backed throne whose armrests are adorned with ivory spheres.
Look at Napoleon’s right hand.
What he holds is the scepter of Charlemagne.
In his left hand, he holds a special scepter known as the ‘Hand of Justice.’
On his head, he wears a golden laurel wreath reminiscent of Julius Caesar of ancient Rome.
On his chest, the grand collar of the Legion of Honor shines brilliantly.
Beneath that, he wears an ermine hood and a white satin tunic embroidered with gold thread.
Furthermore, he wears a crimson velvet mantle lined with ermine.
That mantle is lavishly decorated with golden bees, the emblem of the House of Bonaparte.
His coronation sword is encased in its scabbard and suspended by a silk scarf.
Looking at his feet, he wears white shoes embroidered with gold, resting his feet upon a luxurious cushion.
And on the lavish carpet spread beneath the throne, an imperial eagle is powerfully rendered.
At the lower left, you can see Ingres’ signature and date: ‘INGRES Pxit’ and at the lower right, ‘ANNO 1806.’
How about that? It is a wonderful level of detail that brings the scene vividly to mind, isn’t it?
However, you might wonder:
‘Mimi, what does a painting of an emperor from so long ago have to do with my life today?’
That is a very good question. Let me answer that question sincerely.
Are you fighting against workplace interpersonal relationships, work pressure, and anxiety about the future every day?
Are you making yourself look small, or letting yourself be swayed by the evaluations of those around you?
When you gaze intently at Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, a transformation takes place inside you.
The overwhelming dignity and perfection of detail painted by Ingres grant strong confidence to the viewer.
By viewing this work, you can reclaim the initiative in your own life.
Just as Napoleon sits upon his throne, the resolve to sit upon the throne of your own life is born within you.
This is the first great benefit that this work brings to you.”
Announcement: The Sure Value and Benefits That the Masterpiece Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne Offers You
“Tell me, are you using luxurious time for yourself?
Have you noticed that you, who are always striving so hard, need rest?
The art of Mimi Takamizawa serves your life with utmost sincerity.
That is because you, as the ‘main character’ of your own story, have the right to attain a ‘valuable’ life.
Please engrave these words deeply into your heart.
Do you think, ‘Isn’t art just a luxury that serves no practical purpose?’
Or are you anxious, thinking, ‘Without specialized knowledge, won’t I fail to understand its true value?’
Please rest assured. That is a major misconception.
Masterpieces from all times and places exist to heal your heart and improve the quality of your living.
What if you were to touch a work repeatedly, gain knowledge, and yet feel no charm whatsoever?
Or what if you were unable to look at it for a long time?
That is not your fault. It simply means that the work lacks power and is a poorly executed piece.
A true masterpiece that goes down in history will captivate the hearts of many people, including you.
A work that cannot convince you has no value.
That is precisely why I recommend this genuine masterpiece, Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, to you.
Let us discuss why this work is called a masterpiece.
When Ingres painted this picture, he thoroughly researched the great art of the past.
Napoleon’s frontal pose references the statue of Zeus at Olympia from ancient Greece.
Ingres granted Napoleon a majesty akin to a god of ancient mythology.
Furthermore, Ingres incorporated the expression of Jan van Eyck, the master of the Northern Renaissance.
It reflects the figure of God the Father depicted in the Ghent Altarpiece, which was housed in the Louvre Museum at the time.
Ingres absorbed its meticulous and serene beauty into his own technique.
That is not all. The shadow of Raphael Sanzio, the painter Ingres admired most, is also present.
Look at the border of the carpet at his feet.
Woven into it is the medallion pattern of Raphael’s masterpiece, Madonna della Seggiola.
The ancient god statue, the Renaissance depiction of the divine, and the grace of Raphael.
Ingres fused these supreme beauties of the past to create a completely new, supreme portrait.
That is why this work continues to stir the hearts of people around the world across eras.
‘But Mimi, wasn’t Napoleon a dictator? Why would a painting of such a figure save me?’
It is only natural for you to think that.
However, what this painting expresses is a ‘perfected presence’ that transcends an individual human being.
By viewing this painting repeatedly, you discover the strength within your inner self.
It is the strength to make your life solid without being misled by the opinions of others.
Do you know what you lose if you do not familiarize yourself with art?
It is the ‘quiet time’ to step away from daily noise and converse deeply with your own soul.
There is a risk of being worn down by daily stress and losing sight of the purpose of your life.
The great artists of the past left wonderful gifts for you.
That is the power to redeem your spirit and protect you from meaningless suffering.”
Announcement: The History and Background That the Craftsman Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Etched for You
“Here, let us talk in more detail about the artist, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
What kind of life do you think Ingres lived?
In truth, his life was by no means smooth sailing.
Ingres was born in 1780 in Montauban, France.
From a young age, he displayed extraordinary painting talent and became a pupil of the master Jacques-Louis David.
Then in 1801, he won the Prix de Rome, the gateway to success for young painters.
However, this Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, which he poured his heart into, met with fierce criticism at the Salon de Paris in 1806.
Critics of the time, such as Pierre-Jean-Baptiste Chaussard, slammed the painting relentlessly.
‘Ingres has revived the style of Jan of Bruges and set art back by four centuries.’
‘It looks Gothic.’ ‘The Emperor’s face is too fat and does not resemble him at all,’ they mocked.
Even his master, David, passed a harsh judgment on the work.
Imagine the despair of Ingres when a work into which he had poured his entire soul was rejected all at once by the world.
He was deeply hurt and shocked.
Yet, Ingres did not give up.
He adhered to the beauty he believed in and foolishly, faithfully continued to create.
He stayed in Rome, Italy, and thoroughly re-studied ancient art and the works of Raphael.
Doesn’t this setback and tenacity of Ingres overlap with your own life?
Haven’t you ever worked hard on something only to have it misunderstood or criticized by someone?
Have you ever experienced the anxiety of thinking, ‘Am I wrong?’ and almost stopping in your tracks?
Ingres suffered just like you.
That is why the strong will of a human being confronting hardship is etched into the lines and colors he drew.
Here, let me introduce an interesting episode regarding the origin of the work.
In fact, in the initial studies, the upper right section of this work had much more space reserved.
Aligned there were shields bearing the coats of arms of various Italian regions (the Papal States, Este, Lombardy, Venice, and Savoy).
The art historian Sébastien Allard speculates as follows:
This painting was initially commissioned by an Italian institution and depicted Napoleon as the ‘King of Italy.’
However, the patron was startled by Ingres’s innovative expression and refused to accept it.
As a result, the French Corps Législatif ended up acquiring this painting that had been left in limbo.
A work that was rejected once because the painter’s commitment was too strong turned out, through a twist of fate, to become a masterpiece that remained in history.
Truly, fortune works in mysterious ways.
This hardship experienced by Ingres powerfully supports you today.
It tells you that it is fine if things do not go well from the start. What matters is to continue without giving up.”
Announcement: The Power of Artwork and the Standards of a Masterpiece That Will Revolutionize Your Daily Life
“Let me ask you a question.
Every day, from the moment you wake up in the morning until the moment you fall asleep at night, do you feel ‘meaning’ in your life?
I am deeply influenced by the psychiatrist Viktor Frankl.
Frankl taught that even in the most severe circumstances, a person can find ‘meaning’ in their life.
Anyone can live a ‘meaningful’ life.
You can create a meaningful story for yourself.
If you possess a clear purpose in life, you will never feel bored from the moment you wake up to the moment you sleep at night.
Bored, idle time will disappear from your life altogether.
And there is another figure who has deeply influenced me.
That is the American great, Henry Ford, who created a society where everyone could ride in a car.
Let me introduce my favorite quote from Ford:
‘Most people think that success is something to get. But the truth is, success is giving.’
Why is this quote beneficial to your daily life?
In your daily routine, aren’t you suffering because you think only of receiving something—wishing ‘I want to be recognized more’ or ‘I want more money and results’?
However, try changing your mindset completely.
‘What can I give to the people around me today?’
‘Whom can I bring joy to through my work?’
Just by thinking this way, the daily tension and anxiety within you will be resolved all at once.
The way of life of Tokuji Munetsugu, the founder of CoCo Ichibanya, is exactly the same.
Mr. Munetsugu said:
‘Do not look sideways; dedicate yourself to management.’
‘Things do not go well from the beginning, so do not give up and keep going. Business is a daily accumulation and gratitude. Work 5,640 hours a year (15.5 hours a day, 365 days a year).’
‘During my active years, I had no hobbies and made no friends. I never went to bars either. I did nothing that would get in the way of work. There were times I worked 5,640 hours a year. I felt that if I did not lead by example, my subordinates would not work for me.’
I was deeply moved by Mr. Munetsugu’s strong conviction and spirit of service.
Delivering wonderful products, services, and magnificent artworks to many people—
There is no life more valuable than this.
A life that is of no use to others is truly a waste.
Ingres was the same.
Even when battered by critics, he did his utmost to give the ultimate beauty to the viewer—that is, to you.
He used his talent unsparingly, faced the canvas for hundreds of hours, and painted to bring you joy.
Please accept this ‘gift of beauty’ that Ingres has given you.
Having received it, you, in turn, will become a presence that gives kindness and value to someone else in your work and home.
This is the true chain reaction of success and happiness.”
Announcement: The Current Location of the Masterpiece Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne and the Choice That Will Shape Your Future
“Now, having spoken this far, have the questions in your heart been resolved?
‘Mimi, I understand the goodness of art, but I am too busy to go all the way to Paris.’
I can almost hear you saying that.
Of course, the original is in the Army Museum in Paris, France.
If you have the opportunity, I want you to experience the real thing on-site as soon as possible.
However, even if you cannot travel right away, you are completely fine.
In modern times, we live in an era where you can touch masterpieces anytime, anywhere through high-definition images and books.
What is important is to place an authentic sense of beauty by your side in your daily life.
Every day, a little time is all it takes.
Stop looking at unnecessary news on your smartphone, and gaze slowly at the image of Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne.
Try to imagine the texture of the crimson mantle worn by Napoleon.
Try to feel the coldness of the ivory scepter in his hand.
Try to picture the radiance of the golden laurel wreath.
Sentence by sentence, picture by picture, rich images will expand inside your mind.
Let us summarize the benefits you can obtain by familiarizing yourself with this work:
- Establishment of an Overwhelming Axis: By looking at Napoleon’s unwavering figure, strong confidence takes root in your heart.
- Release from Stress: By immersing yourself in beauty that is perfected to the smallest detail, daily minor worries melt away.
- Improvement in Quality of Life: By touching top-tier things, your eye for quality and your character as a human being are elevated.
- Discovery of Purpose in Life: By learning from the lives of Ingres and other great figures, you can step forward as the main character of your own life’s story.
How about that? Familiarizing yourself with art brings you nothing but benefits, doesn’t it?
The great artists of the past left behind works to comfort and redeem your soul.
You simply need to receive them and enjoy them.
Starting today, you are the ‘main character’ who holds the initiative in your own life.
There is absolutely no need for you to end up as a supporting actor for someone else.
Just like Napoleon sitting upon his throne as depicted by Ingres, please sit proudly upon the throne of your own life.
I support you with all my heart as you grasp a wonderful future that is uniquely yours.
With love to you, from Mimi Takamizawa.”
