Napoléon Bonaparte - Engraving. France, Early 19th century - A relic from the house of Yehoshua Osowitzky "King of ...

Napoléon Bonaparte - Engraving. France, Early 19th century - A relic from the house of Yehoshua Osowitzky "King of the Galilee"

Early engraving of Napoleon Bonaparte [1769-1821], founder of the First French Empire, and one of the greatest commanders in history. Published by lequien fils Paris, 1823. (From THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTE-HELLENE [...] FOLLOWING OF NAPOLEON IN EXIL, BY O'MÉARA.)

On the back of the engraving on a piece of paper glued to the outer frame on the back is: "Yehoshua Osowitzky, Rishon Lezion, 1886." The engraving is probably a relic from the house of Joshua Osowitzky (1858 - 1929), one of the most prominent officials of Baron Rothschild during the period of the first aliyah. Osowitzky immigrated to Eretz Israel when he fled the riots of the 'Storms in the Negev' in Russia, and arrived in 1882. His command of the French language brought him closer to Shmuel Hirsch, who was the school principal and Baron Rothschild's representative. After two years, Hirsch provided him with a letter of recommendation, and Osowitzky went to Paris and met with Baron Rothschild, who was impressed by him and appointed him Baron's clerk in Rishon Lezion. Osowitzky arrived in Rishon Lezion in 1884, and was enthusiastically received by the peasants and biluyim who saw him as one of them. In 1885, Osowitzky was chosen by the children of the "Hayder" of Rishon Lezion to ride a donkey at the head of the procession to mark three years of the colony and to fly an embroidered flag with two stripes, including a Star of David in blue. This flag, then called the "Rishon Lezion flag", is similar to the Israeli flag, and it was the first time it was hoisted publicly in the Land of Israel. At the time, Osowitzky was considered a "king"; He would ride in a chariot drawn by knights and horsemen in front of and behind him. The Arabs and Jews adored him, and would swear "in the revival of Osowitzky." Turkish officials were also afraid of him, as he had the power to cause them to be fired or appointed. As part of his role, he paved roads and established an industry in the Galilee.

Size: 26x16 cm. Antique wooden frame: 22x33 cm. Stains. Defects in the frame. Good - moderate condition.