Napoleon Crossing The Judges Painting

This artwork is called Napoleon at Saint Bernard Pass otherwise known as Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David. This artwork depicts a very Romanesque portrait of King Napoleon I in a full military uniform riding on top of a horse that is kicking up onto its hind legs, while Napoleon is striking a pose with his right hand pointed up towards the sky. The Composition of this painting has Napoleon front and center in the middle of the canvas, on top of his horse, and he is actually highest figure on the canvas, most likely to signify his dominance as the ruler of France. Napoleon and his form a triangular composition with his horse, especially with Napoleon's arm raised forming the pinnacle of the triangle, which was most likely to symbolize that he was a very stable leader due to the stability of the triangular shape, and that he is at the very top. The size of the canvas is roughly 10 x 7 feet, which makes this portrait absolutely massive, this painting was to show off Napoleon as a strong and powerful due to the massive size of Napoleon himself, and the size of the horse he is in complete control of. The colors, although they seem to be washed out, are bold, contrasting, and are strong attention getters, they are meant to bring attention to, and compliment Napoleon’s greatness as he stands in his glorious pose.