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Napoleon’s baptism

Antoine Denis Chaudet, Bust of Napoleon I and display case with the act of the Emperor’s Baptism. Ajaccio, Hôtel de ville, Salon Napoléonien
Antoine Denis Chaudet, Bust of Napoleon I and display case with the act of the Emperor’s Baptism. Ajaccio, Hôtel de ville, Salon Napoléonien

In the Salon Napoléonien of the Hôtel de Ville in Ajaccio, a nineteenth–century display case of white wood with gilded decoration and topped by a large “N”, crowned and ringed with laurel leaves, contains a worn manuscript densely filled with cursive script. On the left page we read the name of Napoleon followed below by that of his sister, Maria Anna: this is the baptism register of the two siblings, for the event which took place on 29 July 1769 in the Ajaccio Cathedral. The name of their father, Carlo Buonaparte, is also registered for both, along with the names of the godfathers and godmothers.
This valuable document, the authenticity of which has been challenged, was, along with the other pieces on display in the Salon, part of the bequest of cardinal Joseph Fesch, Napoleon’s maternal uncle, who kept the display case and the manuscript in his Roman palazzo.

Above the case is a portrait bust of Napoleon by Antoine Denis Chaudet.

Display case and manuscript with register of Napoleon’s baptism
Salon Napoléonien of the Hôtel de Ville
Place Foch
Ajaccio

The museum is open according to the following schedule
15 June to 15 September: from 9 AM to 11.45 AM and from 2 PM to 5.45 PM. Closed Monday mornings
16 September to 14 June: from 9 AM to 11.45 AM and from 2 PM to 4.45 PM. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and holidays

Admission ticket: full 2.30 euros; groups 1.50 euros
Free admission for minors under 15 years of age

http://www.ajaccio.fr/Salons-Napoleoniens_a50.html