I’ve been on-line quite a bit selecting illustrations for my e-book publications (coming up!).
It’s wonderfully easy to get lost in this process. Side-tracked, in fact. Here are some rather surprising discoveries, specifically having to do with the people in the life of Josephine’s daughter Hortense (the subject of my next novel).
I’ve always been fond of this portrait of Alexandre de Beauharnais, Josephine’s first husband, because he’s posed with his hand in his vest — exactly as her second husband Napoleon will be portrayed.
And her son Eugène, for that matter:
Coincidental? (I think not!)
The portrait that took me aback was this grim one of Alexandre, which I’d never seen before:
My suspicion has always been that Alexandre might have been bi-polar — something he might have passed onto Hortense, in fact. It’s only a hunch, but this portrait would certainly confirm that he was not a happy man.
Your hypothesis about Alexandre’s bi-polar diagnosis seems very sound! It makes so much sense. The idea that Hortense inherited his condition fits with how deeply her depressions could get. His letters to Rose while he was in Martinique seriously back up your hunch. Also, I am a great fan of your work. Thank you for bringing them back to life. – Ethan Bedell
Thank you, Ethan. It’s always gratifying to have a hunch backed-up. Clearly, you know the Beauharnais family well. Are you a historian?
I can’t wait!!! It may not be an adult book but I will read it.
Thank you so much! I hope it will be a book that both adults and teens enjoy.