Project

Friul Mosaic created the mosaics for the Dolce & Gabbana atelier in the heart of Paris, transforming the space with two extraordinary mosaics depicting portraits of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte, inspired by the paintings of François Gérard. The elegance of the Ancien Régime lives on in this renovated space, a project born from the collaboration with Eric Carlson of Studio Carbondale.

The inspiration

The inspiration for these extraordinary mosaic works comes from the famous portraits of Napoleon I and Empress Josephine, painted by François Gérard in 1805 and between 1807 and 1808 respectively. The imposing portraits of Napoleon and Josephine, depicted in her coronation robes, are reinterpreted in mosaic with unparalleled precision and sartorial attention to detail.
Josephine's regal and precious coronation dress, made of white brocade satin embroidered in silver and gold, has been faithfully recreated in the mosaic. Each tile was carefully hand-cut, respecting the artisanal traditions of Friul Mosaic. Every phase of the work, from design to installation, required over 2,000 hours of dedication.

Materials

The micromosaic brings the physical beauty of the paintings to life, using a wide range of Venetian enamel colors to create a striking effect, embellished with gold to reproduce the crowns and jewels of the era. A distinctive element of the mosaic is Napoleon's imperial cloak, adorned with golden bees, symbols of diligence, power, immortality, and resurrection.
The result is a work that not only celebrates beauty and history, but also conveys the magnificence of the smallest and most precious details, bringing the elegance of the Ancien Régime to tangible life.