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| Mark D. Ruffner, 1971 |
My last posting on the very idealized likeness of Napoleon Bonaparte caused me to think about the man and his tremendous ego.
As I mentioned in my post about John Wanamaker, I am fascinated by graphology and have studied it extensively for years. To me, it makes perfect sense that the words we jot down are "brainwriting" rather than "handwriting." And as we look at our own writing, we can see subtle or not-so-subtle changes as our moods and circumstances shift.
The progressive signatures of Napoleon Bonaparte are a splendid example. Below, we see Napoleon on the rise:
Now Napoleon is in complete control and has proclaimed himself Emperor!
Alas, Napoleon's fortunes decline, and he is gradually resigned to defeat.
The last signature is from his will, written on St. Helena. All these signatures are from The Stein and Day Book of World Autographs, by Ray Rawlins, 1978.
. . .
This is a fascinating lesson in the relationship of character and handwriting, and how they develop together. A consoling thought here is that I may not be a world leader, but at least I have the illegible handwriting of one.
ReplyDeleteI love your graphic, especially Napoleon's concerned expression as he warily eyes his signature, and also the way the signature, as the expression of personality, looms larger than the body itself.
--Road to Parnassus
Hello, Parnassus - The interesting thing about handwriting analysis is that there are keys that will be consistent regardless of neatness of illegibility. Throughout Napoleon's life, for example, you'll notice that the capital "N" always peaks at the same sharp angle.
DeleteHello Mark,
ReplyDeleteSignatures are fascinating. In French we often use the word 'griffe' for a signature and 'patte de mouche' for fancy hand writing. Words referring to animals and insects. Perhaps our handwriting reveals our primal instincts?
In regards to the previous post, I have no clue, but Elvis came to mind. Did you buy blue suede shoes on that same day?
Anyes
XX
Hi, Anyes - I really like your thought that the bust could be Elvis! Regarding handwriting and signatures, I find it interesting that different nationalities have unique and pronounced styles of script.
DeleteDear Mark, this is a fascinating post. Bonapart's signature can be recognized at the beginning and again at the end of his Life. He must have had more time in either case, nor was he important then. His signature needs no recognition when he becomes Emporer.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina - The author of the book from which these signatures came says that if one were to look at 500 of Napoleon's signatures, no two would be alike. That leads one to wonder if his signature was ever forged, as that would have been easy.
DeleteHello Mark - I remember when I was a teenager opening my first bank account, and having to give a sample of my signature. I was terrified that I would not remember how I had done it for future occasions. When you are young the signature is all a bit experimental.
ReplyDeleteYour Napoleon cartoon is great, I love it.
Hello, Rosemary - Throughout my teenage years, my signature changed radically, too. I think that's not only a time of experimenting with signatures, but also, of course, of real growth (which affects our signature).
DeleteTo the graphologist, the handwriting reveals who we are, while the signature reveals how we would like the world to see us. For that reason, I've always been interested by people whose signatures are very different from the rest of their handwriting!
Hello Mark:
ReplyDeleteWe do find this whole topic most intriguing but, sadly, know little about its intricacies. The 'rise' and 'decline' of Napoleon's signature is indeed fascinating although we are sure that there would be common threads running throughout which would give a clear indication of the man behind the pen.
Hello Jane and Lance:
DeleteThe topic has always been intriguing to me. I got interested in handwriting analysis as a teenager, when I was visiting the library of a family friend who was a banker. He had books on the subject, and that connection caused me to consider it more seriously. As you might know, European corporations often employ graphology in their hiring process.
Did they have handwriting analysis in Napoleon's time? Maybe. At any rate, this is a very clever post, Mark. Revealing, for sure. On a side note do you believe Napoleon was poisoned? Just wonderin'.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book which is basically a re-telling of the war between the French and the Brits in which Waterloo has different results and Napoleon and his army actually invade, land in England and occupy London. It's fabulous. If you're the sort that can suspend your disbelief, and I am.
The book is written by Naomi Novik and is part of a series which I will be writing about on Monday, so stay tuned. ;)
Suffice to say, the stories take place in an alternate universe in which the Brits and the French employ a flying squad of dragons in their war against each other. I know it sounds goopy, but Novik is such a masterful writer that she makes it all work. It's like Patrick O'Brian with dragons. She's that good.
I'm also reading O'Brien's MASTER AND COMMANDER as well, so I'm really immersed in Napoleonic fervor at the moment.
I have read that Napoleon most probably was poisoned, but not on purpose. The article I read (and I wish I could verify it) said that the wallpaper that was used in his house on St. Helena was applied with a paste that had traces of arsenic. Maybe another reader can add to that ...
DeleteThe Naomi Novik book sounds great!
What a fascinating journey through the ascendancy and decline of Bonaparte. One's signature does tell much more than I had ever suspected! Thank you for the graphic lesson. RD
ReplyDeleteHello, RD -
DeleteHandwriting can indeed be very revealing. I once had a tenant who had rented from me for years. As his economic circumstances changed, so did his handwriting, becoming progressively surer and more independent. I surmised that he was ready to soon move out and buy a place of his own because within a short period, his signature became more positive, while the way he wrote my own name became more distancing (in its slant). I interpreted the interesting transformation for my brother, and was accurate within two months!