Gala state coach for Napoleon and Marie Louise's wedding procession (Detail), 1810

This detail from the decoration of the gala coach shows an erotic mythological scene. On the left Venus is floating on a cloud accompanied by Cupid, who has just shot an arrow at a sleeping youth. On the right the Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva, deflects the arrow with her shield. The message behind this: the marriage of convenience between Napoleon and Marie Louise came to pass because the two enemies allowed wisdom to prevail.