Napoleon crossing the alps

Artist

Jacques Louis David

Date

1801

Materials/Techniques (and its effect)

oil on canvas - adds a sense of gravitas to the painting

Genre

Equestrian portraiture

Who sat for the painting?

David’s son, as it retained a youthful posture and facial expression for Napoleon’s representation

When did Napoleon become the leader of France?

during the end of the revolution, wearing a glove within the painting displays him being a peacemaker, imbuing the work with properties of propaganda to appeal to the people of France (shows his control)

What are the names engraved in the rocks and what effect do they have?

Bonaparte, Hannibal, etc. - previous great leaders are mentioned, there is a sense of legacy that amplifies Napoleons importance

Scale

261 × 221 cm

Commissioner

Charles IV (then king of spain)

where was it placed?

among other paintings of great leaders in the Royal palace, Madrid

what is the effect of creating an equestrian portrait for a leader?

weilds a greater power and places the subject elevated with grandiosity above the spectator

what does the color palette imply?

a sense of patriotism and this imbues the painting with propagandist ideas

why has David positioned Napoleon in an adlocutio stance?

emphasises the pointing to an invisibile summit alongside the direction of the soldiers, he is leading us and his troops - he holds all power

what diagonals are created and what do they convey?

diagonals of his raised arm and the mountain ridge, alongside his cloak, counterbalanced by clouds to the right - overal stablilise the figure of Napoleon