Joseph Bonaparte (1768-1844) was the elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte and king of Spain between 1808-1813, where he was popularly known as "Pepe Botella". He was born in Corsica, studied law and trained in politics. In 1806 he was named king of Naples and, after the abdications of Bayonne in 1808, he was imposed in Spain by Napoleon as Joseph I. During his reign he tried to introduce enlightened reforms, but encountered great popular, administrative and military resistance. After the French defeat in the battle of Vitoria and the advance of the allied troops, Joseph Bonaparte left Spain in 1813, and soon after resigned the throne (Espadas, 1996). Also, while fleeing the country he took with him numerous works of art of great value that were later sold (Antigüedad del Castillo, 1987). He lived the rest of his life in exile and died in Florence.
Bibliography
ANTIGÜEDAD DEL CASTILLO OLIVARES, María Dolores (1987): José Bonaparte y el patrimonio artístico de los conventos madrileños, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid.
ESPADAS, Manuel (1996): La España de José Bonaparte, Historia, Madrid.