# Joséphine de Beauharnais

> Empress consort of the French from 1804 to 1814 (1763-1814)

**Wikidata**: [Q171480](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q171480)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joséphine_de_Beauharnais)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/josephine-de-beauharnais

## Summary
Joséphine de Beauharnais was a French noblewoman who served as the first Empress consort of the French from 1804 to 1814. Born Marie-Joseph-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, she is historically recognized for her role as the wife of Napoleon I and her significant patronage of the arts. Her life and influence extended through her work as an art collector, draftsperson, and artist until her death in 1814.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1763 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality**: France
- **Education**: Data not available in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as Empress consort of the French from 1804 to 1814; art collecting and patronage
- **Employer(s)**: None listed in source material (affiliated with Pierre-Joseph Redouté)
- **Field(s)**: Art, Patronage, Royalty

## Contributions
Joséphine de Beauharnais's primary contributions lie in her role as a patron of the arts and an active participant in artistic creation.
- **Art Patronage**: She provided financial and other support to artists and causes, notably affiliating with the Belgian painter and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté.
- **Artistic Practice**: She engaged in artistic creation as a draftsperson, producing drawings, and as an artist engaging in various forms of artistic practice.
- **Art Collection**: She built a collection of art, including the painting "Glass of Lemonade" by Gerard Terborch, which was created in 1663 and is associated with the Hermitage.
- **Botanical Art**: Through her connection to Pierre-Joseph Redouté, she supported the intersection of botany and painting, a field Redouté mastered.

## FAQs
**What was Joséphine de Beauharnais's primary historical role?**
She served as the Empress consort of the French, holding this title from 1804 until 1814 during the First French Empire. Her status was central to the imperial court of Napoleon I.

**Which artists did Joséphine support or work with?**
She was notably affiliated with Pierre-Joseph Redouté, a renowned Belgian painter and botanist active during her lifetime. This relationship highlights her engagement with the artistic community of her era.

**Did Joséphine create art herself?**
Yes, she is identified as a draftsperson who made drawings and as an artist who engaged in artistic creation. Her work period is recorded as spanning from 1779 to 1814.

**What specific artwork is associated with her collection?**
Her collection included the painting "Glass of Lemonade" by Gerard Terborch, a work created in 1663. This piece is currently linked to the Hermitage museum.

**What honors did she receive?**
She was a recipient of the Order of Queen Maria Luisa, an order of merit for women established in 1792. This award recognized her status and contributions within the context of her time.

## Why They Matter
Joséphine de Beauharnais matters because she embodied the transition from the French Revolution to the Napoleonic Empire, serving as the first Empress consort of the French. Her patronage of artists like Pierre-Joseph Redouté helped sustain and promote the arts during a turbulent political era. Without her influence as a collector and patron, the preservation and promotion of specific artistic works, such as those by Terborch and Redouté, might have lacked the imperial support they received. Her legacy also extends to the botanical and artistic intersection she supported, influencing the documentation of plant life through art.

## Notable For
- Serving as Empress consort of the French from 1804 to 1814.
- Receiving the Order of Queen Maria Luisa, an order of merit for women.
- Being an active art collector, including the ownership of "Glass of Lemonade" by Gerard Terborch.
- Affiliation with Pierre-Joseph Redouté, a prominent painter and botanist.
- Working as a draftsperson and artist with a career spanning from 1779 to 1814.
- Holding various aliases including Marie-Joseph-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie and Joséphine Bonaparte.
- Being the subject of a genus of plants named Josephinia.
- Consulting with Marie Anne Lenormand, a French professional fortune-teller.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Joséphine de Beauharnais was born in 1763 and died in 1814. She was a human member of the species *Homo sapiens* and a citizen of France. Her full birth name was Marie-Joseph-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie. She is also known by several aliases, including Marie-Josèphe-Rose Tascher de La Pagerie, Kaiserin Josephine Frankreich, Joséphine Bonaparte, and Empress of the French Josephine. Other variations of her name include keizerin van Frankrijk Joséphine, Empress consort of Napoleon I Josephine, and Joséphine Viscountess de Beauharnais. She held the title of Vicomtesse de Beauharnais.

### Imperial Role and Titles
Her most significant role was serving as the Empress consort of the French. This position was held specifically from 1804 to 1814, corresponding with the inception of the First French Empire on May 18, 1804. During this time, she was the consort of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French. Her tenure as Empress ended in 1814, marking the conclusion of her work period. She is described in Wikidata as the Empress consort of the French from 1804 to 1814.

### Artistic Career and Patronage
Joséphine was deeply involved in the arts, functioning as an art collector, a draftsperson, an artist, and a patron of the arts. Her work period is documented as starting in 1779 and ending in 1814. As a draftsperson, she created drawings, and as an artist, she engaged in various forms of artistic creation. Her patronage involved giving financial and other support to persons, organizations, and causes. A key figure in her artistic circle was Pierre-Joseph Redouté, a Belgian painter and botanist born in 1759 and died in 1840. Redouté's occupations included painter, botanist, and illustrator, and he held citizenship in Belgium and France.

### Art Collection and Specific Works
She owned and operated a collection that included significant artworks. One notable item in her collection was the painting "Glass of Lemonade" by Gerard Terborch. This painting was created in 1663 and is associated with the Hermitage museum. The existence of this work in her collection highlights her interest in historical art pieces. The painting is a specific example of the tangible assets she acquired and managed.

### Honors and Recognition
Joséphine received formal recognition for her status and contributions. She was awarded the Order of Queen Maria Luisa, which is an order of merit specifically for women. This order was established in 1792 and is associated with the country of Spain. Her receipt of this award underscores her international standing and the respect she commanded beyond France.

### Personal Connections and Interests
Her life included connections to various individuals and entities. She was associated with Marie Anne Lenormand, a French professional fortune-teller who lived from 1772 to 1843. Lenormand's occupations included fortune-telling, and she was a citizen of France. Additionally, the genus of plants named Josephinia is named in her honor, indicating a lasting botanical legacy. The country of France, where she lived and held power, has a complex inception history involving West Francia, Francia, and the First French Empire, providing the geopolitical context for her life.

### Legacy and Historical Context
Joséphine's life spanned a transformative period in French history, from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. Her role as Empress consort placed her at the center of the First French Empire. Her contributions to the arts, both as a creator and a patron, left a mark on the cultural landscape of her time. The preservation of works like "Glass of Lemonade" and the support of artists like Redouté are testaments to her influence. Her aliases and titles reflect the various roles she played, from Viscountess to Empress. The data indicates a rich tapestry of relationships and achievements that define her historical significance.

## References

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