Napoleon Crossing The Alps: A Painting by Jacques-Louis David
A famous painting that does not tell anything like the full story
This painting is pure propaganda, designed to promote Napoleon Bonaparte’s image as a hero who could be compared with Hannibal and Charlemagne in that he could conquer not only his enemies but Nature itself — in the form of the formidable Alpine mountains.
At the time that this work was commissioned in 1801 — by King Charles IV of Spain — Napoleon was a 31-year-old general and First Consul who had not yet declared himself Emperor of France. The crossing of the Alps that was commemorated by the painting was undertaken in May 1800 so that the French army could do battle with the Austrians who had invaded northern Italy. The Battle of Marengo that took place on 14th June 1800 was a complete victory for Napoleon that confirmed his political position within France.
Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825) was not only the most important and influential Neoclassical painter in France but also an enthusiastic supporter of Napoleon. He was the obvious choice for the task of portraying Napoleon as a conquering hero.
However, the image one sees in this painting does not reflect reality. For one thing, during the journey Napoleon did not sit astride a magnificent charger while…
