TOW #14 - A Romantic Portrayal of Napoleon

"Napoleon Crossing the Alps"

     This oil-painting is of Napoleon Bonaparte, a prominent and ambitious political and military leader of the early 19th century. This painting by French artist Jacques-Louis David is just one of the five versions of and oil on canvas portrait of Napoleon crossing the Alps. Commisioned by the King of Spain, this romantic portrayal of Napoleon illustrates the strongly idealized view of Napoleon's crossing with his army. 

     In the spring of 1800, Napoleon led the Reserve Army across the Alps through the Great St. Bernard Pass. This is a portrait of just that. His intention was to "retake" the territory seized by the Austrians. A most prominent visual of an idealized Napoleon is the hand gesture of Napoleon. The raised hands was a well known gesture of reprimand of emotional displays. In Napoleon Crossing the Alps, the gesture leaves no doubt as to the will of the commander to arrive to his goal. It does not indicate the summit, but rather shows the observer the inevitability of victory and at the same time orders his soldiers to follow. The bare rather than gloved hand may indicate Napoleon desiring to appear as a peacemaker rather than a conqueror.

     David uses inscriptions to reinforce the symbolism in eight of his known works. In this picture, the rocks bear the names of Hannibal and Charlemagne alongside Bonaparte, linking them by their crossing of the Alps, and portraying Napoleon as their successor. The inclusion of Charlemagne and the "IMP", signifying an Emperor status raises doubts as to the level of Bonaparte's involvement with the addition of the inscriptions. 

     The first two of the five copies of this painting was exhibited in the Louvre Museum in France in 1801. This romantic portrayal of Napoleon is the most famous painting and sought after painting by David. Although they lost their appeal to the French community after Napoleon's downfall, today it is a well known painting depicting the turmoils of 19th century France.