Napoleon Crossing the Alps, by Jacques-Louis David

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 14^th 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 wearing a flowing yellow cloak over an immaculate uniform. He actually had a thoroughly miserable time, riding on a donkey huddled under a waterproof coat while the rain beat down incessantly.

Napoleon did not sit for his portrait, so David had to use a portrait bust to get the facial features correct. David’s son sat on a step-ladder to model the posture. Napoleon supplied the cloak, which he had worn at Marengo, and he also stipulated that he should be shown “calm on a fiery steed” and not wielding a sword as David had originally intended. 

Napoleon was clearly impressed by the end result, which did much to further his political ambitions, and he ordered three other versions to be made. A fourth extra version was painted by David on his own initiative, and he kept this one in his studio for the rest of his life. These versions vary in certain details, including the colour of the cloak and of the horse. They are all around the same size, namely eight and a half feet by seven and a quarter feet (260 x 220 centimetres).

All five paintings have survived to the present day. The original, which is shown here, is in the Chateau de Malmaison, on the western side of Paris, which was formerly Napoleon’s home.

 © John Welford