Artist(s):

after DAVID, Jacques-Louis (1748-1825)

sc. LEFÈVRE, Achille Désiré (1798-1864)

Composed Title English:

Bonaparte crossing the Alps.

Inscribed Title:

BONAPARTE || FRANCHISSANT LE ST BERNARD

Inscription:

David pinxit // A Lefèvre sc. // Publié par Furne, Paris.

Description:

Napoleon as First Consul on a rearing horse, crossing the Alps, points upwards. His cape is billowing, his look is determined. At the horse's feet, the rocks bear the names of "BONAPARTE", "ANNIBAL" and "KAROLUS MAGNUS", placing Napoleon in the tradition of Hanibal and Charlemagne. This image full of power and dynamism is in stark contrast to the real crossing, which Napoleon executed on the back of a donkey. After David's famous painting.

Original Work:

Bonaparte, Premier Consul, franchissant les Alpes, au Mont Saint-Bernard, 20 mai 1800.

by

David, Jacques-Louis (1748-1825)

1801-1803

. Oil on canvas; 271 x 232 cm; Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

Subject Heading(s):

Alps, Crossing, at Mont Saint-Bernard (1800)

Napoleon I, Emperor of the French (1769-1821) -- crossing the Alps

Medium:

engraving

Publication Place:

Paris

Dimensions:

262 x 205 mm (sheet).

Paper Type:

wove paper

Condition:

fine

Copy Specific:

Verso : illegible pencil markings.

McGill Notes:

Pennington Catalogue p. 0464

Related Works:

DAVID, Jacques-Louis (1748-1825); 'Napoleon Bonaparte Crossing the Alps'.

LocNo:

8° N II 005