Art Analysis: Napoleon Crossing The Saint-Bernard
1. The title of this painting is Napoleon Crossing the Saint-Bernard, located on page 946 of the textbook. This oil painting on canvas measures approximately eight feet, eleven inches by seven feet, seven inches. Painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1800-1801, this piece can now be found in Versailles, the Châteaux de Versailles et Trianon.
2. In this work of art, Napoleon is the only character riding a white horse and depicted front and center. All figures are anonymous, except Napoleon himself, who is clearly the subject in this painting and dons an ornate uniform and thick, bright red cape for warmth, unlike the lackluster troops in the background. The horse’s mane, tail and Napoleon’s cape are blown forward by the wind, following the direction in which Napoleon points. Even the wispy clouds in the sky seem to follow Napoleon’s command. The white horse rears as Napoleon points ahead, signaling his troops to charge onward up the winding mountain. In the background, there are approximately fourteen figures, three of which appear to be Napoleon’s soldiers hauling a wooden wagon, or cannon, up the …show more content…
This work of art was a bit of propaganda for Napoleon. David painted Napoleon front and center to depict Napoleon’s power and importance. Dressed in the colors of the French flag to illustrate his work is in the interest of the French people. By utilizing darker and less vibrant coloring in the background, Napoleon is cast in a divine light worthy of an emperor. The scenery additionally illustrates this divinity as the wind blows his cape and the horse’s mane and tail as well as the clouds in the sky in the same direction of his gesturing. Furthermore, Napoleon asked David to paint him calmly on a spirited horse, and thus, Napoleon’s face is fearless, relaxed, and nonchalant as he orders his troops to charge onward. While forced to use models in Napoleon’s place and an old portrait as reference, David successfully painted Napoleon in a stance of power and
2. In this work of art, Napoleon is the only character riding a white horse and depicted front and center. All figures are anonymous, except Napoleon himself, who is clearly the subject in this painting and dons an ornate uniform and thick, bright red cape for warmth, unlike the lackluster troops in the background. The horse’s mane, tail and Napoleon’s cape are blown forward by the wind, following the direction in which Napoleon points. Even the wispy clouds in the sky seem to follow Napoleon’s command. The white horse rears as Napoleon points ahead, signaling his troops to charge onward up the winding mountain. In the background, there are approximately fourteen figures, three of which appear to be Napoleon’s soldiers hauling a wooden wagon, or cannon, up the …show more content…
This work of art was a bit of propaganda for Napoleon. David painted Napoleon front and center to depict Napoleon’s power and importance. Dressed in the colors of the French flag to illustrate his work is in the interest of the French people. By utilizing darker and less vibrant coloring in the background, Napoleon is cast in a divine light worthy of an emperor. The scenery additionally illustrates this divinity as the wind blows his cape and the horse’s mane and tail as well as the clouds in the sky in the same direction of his gesturing. Furthermore, Napoleon asked David to paint him calmly on a spirited horse, and thus, Napoleon’s face is fearless, relaxed, and nonchalant as he orders his troops to charge onward. While forced to use models in Napoleon’s place and an old portrait as reference, David successfully painted Napoleon in a stance of power and