Napoleon has risen from his desk after a long night’s work, his labors indicated by the nearly spent candle. The chair being pushed back has caused the carpet to bunch up and he has not taken the time to smooth his tousled hair or wrinkled leggings. Nevertheless Napoleon is dressed in and surrounded by symbols of his power, from his military uniform with sword laid across his chair to the rolled up Napoleonic Code and French royal fleurs-de-lys pattern on the chair’s cushion and arms.