Napoleon on his Deathbed. Inscribed: Taken the Morning after his death at Longwood House, St Helena by Denzil Ibbetson
Denzil Ibbetson - Napoleon Standing in Profile wearing the Bicorn
Denzil Ibbetson was a Commissary British Officer on St. Helena when Napoleon was exiled there from 1815 to 1921. Napoleon died in his residence the Longwood House on 5 May, 1821 at the age of 51. Denzil Ibbetson was an accomplished artist and left diaries of his conversations with Napoleon and numerous sketches of Napoleon and the island. It was all collected in a case and kept by Denzil Ibbetson’s descendants in New Zealand. The family passed it from generation to generation and didn’t pay it much attention till very recently when they brought it to an appraiser. The entire collection including a lock of Napoleon’s hair will be auctioned off in New Zealand on June 28th.
In an excerpt from the diaries Napoleon was still hoping to take over Great Britain. Denzil Ibbetson wrote on August 7, 1815:
“Napoleon talks of invading England with 200,000 Infantry & 6,000 Cavalry, but was uncertain of the disposition of the people of England, whether they would be for or against him, as he was induced to believe a great number would join him.”
Denzil Ibbetson followed up on the conversation. Napoleon hoped to repeat with Britain his conquest of France after his return from Elba:
‘September 8th. Walked with the Admiral I asked him of Napoleon … touched upon the subject of his leaving Elba. The Admiral said that when he Landed in France, with 600 men the people of Grenoble hesitated whether they would join him, upon which Napoleon opened his great coat, & said “kill your Emperor” this produced the desired effect they immediately joined him.”