Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria

106
Jacques-Louis DAVID
French 1748–1825
Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul,
crossing the Alps at Great St Bernard Pass,
20 May 1800
Bonaparte, Premier Consul, franchissant
les Alpes, au mont Saint-Bernard, le 20 mai
1800
1803
oil on canvas
Versailles, musée national du château MV 8550
Of the thousands of images of Napoleon
which exist, this is the most striking and
memorable. It is a potent and unambiguous
allegory of power that conveys Napoleon’s
mastery over man, beast and especially
nature. Leading a French army over the Alps
for a surprise attack on the Austrians,
is presented as the triumph of military genius
and courage over physical adversity.
In the French painting tradition, the depiction
of leaders on horseback was usually the
preserve of royalty. David shows a young,
vigorous Napoleon totally in command, the
saviour of France following the political
instability of the post-Revolutionary period.
Napoleon had a sophisticated understanding
of the role and power of art as political
propaganda, and five versions of this picture
were eventually produced; this version is
generally regarded as the best.
The NGV warmly thanks Lady Potter AC for her generous
support in bringing this work to Australia.
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