At the time of completion, Cabanel was heavily criticised by many for depicting the emperor not grand enough, making him look rather short and stout. Since Napoleon III is also not wearing uniform, which would have lent him an air of grandeur, some even mocked Cabanel of painting a waiter, ready to serve supper. Nevertheless the painting was well received within the imperial family. Apparently the artist was able to capture the emperor so well, it was greatly appreciated by the Empress Eugenie, who hung the portrait in the private chambers of the Tuileries Palace. After the end of the Second Empire, she took the painting with her into exile, despite its large size.

It is speculated why the emperor chose to depict himself in civilian rather than military dress. Napoleon III wanted to move away from a strict imperial rule more towards a more bourgeois, democratic society. The attempt to downplay the imperial aspect could also be in reaction to the fact that the Bonaparte family originally came from rather humble origins, compared to other, centuries-old European royal dynasties. The fact that he has his back turned to the imperial regalia and stands in civilian dress can be interpreted as a move forward into the future, almost as if stepping out of something. Speculations aside, it is not a coincidence that Napoleon III wanted to be painted without imperial military uniform but depicted more as a civilian statesman or a gentleman.