Napoleon at the Great St. Bernard Pass – Works – Sammlung Online

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The image features a rider sitting atop a rearing horse. The rider is adorned in a historical clothing, including a long, dramatically draped garment, and raises one hand in a gesturing position. In the background, indistinct figures and a mountainous landscape are visible, suggesting a historical scene. The rider's expression is determined.

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Oberes Belvedere
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Napoleon at the Great St. Bernard Pass
Date1801

Artist Jacques Louis David (1748 Paris – 1825 Brüssel)

ULAN

Object typePainting
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
275 × 232 cm
SignatureSign. und dat. auf dem Pferdegurt: J. L. DAVID. F. ANNO X. REI. C., sowie bez. unten links: BONAPARTE / ANNIBAL [sic!] / KAROLUS MAGNUS . iMP [ligiert]
Inventory number2089
Location Upper Belvedere
In this aggrandizing propaganda image, Jacques Louis David depicts Napoleon as a mighty warrior leading the French troops across the Great St. Bernhard Pass in May 1800. The campaign aimed to reconquer Piedmont and Lombardy, a goal achieved when the French army was victorious at the Battle of Marengo. There are four versions of this work; this particular painting was intended for Milan. As part of the heroic presentation of the general, the artist replaced Napoleon’s mount—a mule—with a rearing horse. Marching onward beneath the steed’s hooves are Napoleon’s soldiers. Names carved into the rocks show the French ruler as following in the footsteps of Hannibal and Charlemagne.

Provenance
Exhibitions

Mailand.
1834 Kaiserliche Gemäldegalerie
1921 Übernahme aus dem Kunsthistorischen Museum, Wien

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