Marie Louise after Napoleon's fall from power

When the tide began to turn against Napoleon in 1814, Marie Louise returned to Vienna, where she found herself in a difficult position. As the exiled wife of Napoleon she found herself coming increasingly under attack, having developed the affectations of an empress and being unwilling to abandon her French lifestyle in matters of fashion, culinary habits and comportment. Thus

Leopold Fertbauer: The imperial family grouped around the Duke of Reichstadt, oil painting, 1826

Marie Louise as Empress of the French

Marie Louise as Empress of the French

Marie Louise Die Welt der Habsburger

Moritz Daffinger: Le Duc de Reichstadt, etching, 19th century

Leopold Fertbauer: The imperial family grouped around the Duke of Reichstadt, oil painting, 1826

Marie Louise after Napoleon's fall from power

Marie Louise – a dutiful daughter sacrificed on the altar of political expediency

Napoleon Franz Bonaparte

Moritz Daffinger: Le Duc de Reichstadt, etching, 19th century

Moritz Daffinger: Le Duc de Reichstadt, etching, 19th century

Marie Louise after Napoleon's fall from power