Napoleon Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass Analysis
Narrative paintings have always been an interesting form of art work due to their ability to tell a
story and convey a message. Jacques-Louis David’s second version of “Napoleon Crossing the
Great Saint Bernard Pass” created in 1800 is a perfect example of this. Napoleon Bonaparte was
the era’s first Romantic hero, and David’s painting was an effort to create an idealized image of
Napoleon. He achieved this using elements of art, as well as the principles of design, to create a
piece that truly glorified Napoleon. The viewer is made to see a very powerful image of
Napoleon, one that gives him an aura of power and prestige. These themes are magnified to their
peak, with Napoleon himself serving as a larger than life figure. “Napoleon Crossing the Great
Saint Bernard Pass” has several different elements of art. One example is the use of lines.
Curving lines, as you can see in the background, are used to show the peaks and mountains of the
Alps. These help give the historical setting of the piece, showing the area he is in. Another
element that shows the location is the texture. The ground and rocks are shown to be rough and
hard, showing the desolation and hardness of his location.
On the other hand, Napoleon’s horse and its coat is smooth, almost looking soft to the touch.
This helps to give a sense of the mystique of Napoleon. Not only is he above the sad physical
state of his location, but so is the very animal he rides on. It looks almost as if he can’t be tainted
by his desperate surroundings. Another example is spacing. Almost the entire space of the
portrait is taken up by Napoleon and his horse. The area around him shows a small number of
soldiers moving supplies, as well as some of his location, but it is very clear that Napoleon is the
Narrative paintings have always been an interesting form of art work due to their ability to tell a
story and convey a message. Jacques-Louis David’s second version of “Napoleon Crossing the
Great Saint Bernard Pass” created in 1800 is a perfect example of this. Napoleon Bonaparte was
the era’s first Romantic hero, and David’s painting was an effort to create an idealized image of
Napoleon. He achieved this using elements of art, as well as the principles of design, to create a
piece that truly glorified Napoleon. The viewer is made to see a very powerful image of
Napoleon, one that gives him an aura of power and prestige. These themes are magnified to their
peak, with Napoleon himself serving as a larger than life figure. “Napoleon Crossing the Great
Saint Bernard Pass” has several different elements of art. One example is the use of lines.
Curving lines, as you can see in the background, are used to show the peaks and mountains of the
Alps. These help give the historical setting of the piece, showing the area he is in. Another
element that shows the location is the texture. The ground and rocks are shown to be rough and
hard, showing the desolation and hardness of his location.
On the other hand, Napoleon’s horse and its coat is smooth, almost looking soft to the touch.
This helps to give a sense of the mystique of Napoleon. Not only is he above the sad physical
state of his location, but so is the very animal he rides on. It looks almost as if he can’t be tainted
by his desperate surroundings. Another example is spacing. Almost the entire space of the
portrait is taken up by Napoleon and his horse. The area around him shows a small number of
soldiers moving supplies, as well as some of his location, but it is very clear that Napoleon is the
