Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), French Emperor. Napoleon is depicted here in his imperial robes in the throne room of the Tuileries Palace in a woven tapestry based on the 1805 painting by Gerard. Napoleon seized power during a coup d'etat in 1799, ruling as Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, from 1804 to 1815. His military skills enabled France to conquer much of Europe and institute reforms aimed at improving quality of life and protecting civil liberties. He also had a keen interest in science, which he promoted under his rule. This included leading a scientific expedition to Egypt in 1798. He was defeated by Britain and Prussia at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He was banished to the island St Helena, where he died in exile. This tapestry, an ostentatiously expensive example of royal patronage presented to the arch-chancellor of the empire, was made by the imperial tapestry works, took three years to complete, and was finished in 1811.