Painting by Jacques-Louis DavidOil Painting on Canvas Created in 1800-1801 Located at Chateau de Malmaison
Napoleon Crossing The Alps
Singer, James W. “Masterpiece Story: Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David.” DailyArt Magazine, 4 Dec. 2023, www.dailyartmagazine.com/masterpiece-story-napoleon-crossing-the-alps-by-jacques-louis-david/
““Marengo”, Napoleon’s Horse.” Age of Revolution, ageofrevolution.org/200-object/skeleton-of-the-horse-marengo/.
Sources
Pollitt, Ben. “Jacques-Louis David, Napoleon Crossing the Alps – Smarthistory.” Smarthistory.org, 7 Jan. 2016, smarthistory.org/jacques-louis-david-napoleon-crossing-the-alps/.
This painting represents the "dawn of a new century" (Pollitt), and the backstory of this painting adds even more power and meaning to it. The scene takes place directly following the decade of terror the French had to endure following the revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte (pictured) stood up against the revolution, forming an uprising, or coup d'etat. This painting is commerorating a specific battle known as the Battle of Marengo, where Napoleon led his troops across the Alps and defeated the Austrians.
Napoleon's name is carved into this rock, along with two other figures who led their troops over the Alps, Hannibal and Charlemagne. The artist included this to respect those who had a strong lead in these fights, while also honoring the other important men, who were not pictured.
The artist, David, incorporated his signature into the piece, rather than signing in a separate, more visible location. His signature can be seen across the breatplate of the horse, if looking very closely.
This painting is widely known to be a bit of a fabrication, or overdramatized. Although Napoleon did lead his troops over the Alps, he did not do it in the exact fashion featured in this image. It has been proven that during this battle, Napoleon did not wear this outfit, did not ride his horse through the Alps, and likely did not have such an air of confidence. David created this painting to be an idealized version of Napoleon, representing him as much more flashy and confident than the real situation. This perfected version of the portrait was planned out by Napoleon himself, who instructed David to make him look fierce, calm, and confident.
Napoleon's outfit is that of the General in Cheif's uniform. He is shown wearing a gold-trimmed bicorne (hat) and an elegant military uniform of blue, white, and gold, with a red cape. The inclusion of this flashy and prideful outfit is to represent Napoleon's militaristic standing, as he wears a nice uniform that represents his high standing as a leader.
Marengo was Napoleon's famous war horse, well known for being his loyal steed for 15 years. Marengo was known to have been wounded 8 seperate times in his career, but remained brave and obedient. He retired as Napoleon's horse at the battle of Waterloo in 1815, where we was then sold to a British officer. He later died in 1831 at the age of 38, impressively long for a horse.