Analysis of the Coronation of Napoleon

This aspect can be seen in the case of African American painter Kehinde Wiley’s Napoleon over the Alps. The work depicts a Black man dressed in a modern camouflage jumpsuit with a bandana tied on head while aboard a horse pointing upward (). The work is an is an exact imitation in composition and supporting subjects as the painting of the equestrian portrait under the same name done by French artist Jacques-Louis David between 1801 and 1805 (). By the work imitating the same composition as that of the portrait that depicts someone of the regality and power once achieved by Napoleon and switching the figure with a modern Black man implies that he has the same power. However, Napoleon is commonly known in Western society and the man in Wiley’s

To truly understand what is relevant about this story of the Horatii and this painting of David in relation to the French Revolution, it is important to make a distinction between the things that are relevant for this research and what is not. The renaissance of the Antiquity sort of means the same as the downfall of the Ancien Regime. Neoclassicism is connected to reality and the values of the Antiquity, wherein the Ancien Regime is connect to the beauty and plentifulness of the rococo style. That rococo style is something most monarchies could identify with.(Kunstkennis.nl)

Hailed as one of the greatest rulers, military commanders and conquerors in the history of mankind, Napoleon Bonaparte transformed a continent, and made himself a household name and a universally admired icon, even two centuries later. As a French political leader and military general, Napoleon Bonaparte conquered most of Europe in just 16 years. Later crowned Emperor, he transformed land use, education, banking, agriculture, and legal codes that are still used in France today. So how did Napoleon rise to such

For example, imitating a well-known portrait of Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps by Jacques-Louis David. Whiley re-designed this portrait by substituting the figure of Napoleon with an anonymous African American model and set him against Rococo style background (A New Republic pg. 10). This In observation, this addition destroys the stereotype given to the black image and grants the viewer of similar decent, a strong sense of empowerment of who they are within the

Arguably the most successful portrait of the military powerhouse, Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David is nothing short of political propaganda. Completed in January of 1801, this oil on canvas painting depicts Napoleon as he leads his troops across the Alps in May of 1800, which lead to the defeat of the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in June of the same year. The portrait, commissioned by the King of Spain, was to hang in the Royal Palace along with paintings of other military leaders. It is an equestrian portrait of the future Emperor of France. Though the painting depicts Napoleon leading his troops through the alps, he actually followed his troops a few days later. Nonetheless, the painting captures Napoleon’s great achievement

The Chansons de Geste are epic poetry from French literature around the time of Charlemagne that myth logically told the stories of paladins, knights, and lords. An illumination from this manuscript called Roland Fealty (attached) shows Roland, a well-known leader of the time pledging his allegiance, or fealty, to Charlemagne as a vassal pledging his allegiance to his lord. Roland and his men have one hand in the air and are depicted as knights with swords on their sides, as is customary of leaders during this time. Charlemagne’s face is full of strength and wisdom as he embodies the characteristics of an ideal leader. The piece is similar to other well-known works from the time such as the Ottonian Otto III enthroned. The transitional piece of the Limbourg brothers October from Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry depicts the vassals working in the fields while the castle in the background shows the prevalence of feudalism even in the early 15th century. The statue David by Donatello was patronized by the Medici family and depicts David from the Biblical David and Goliath story in which tiny David kills the giant with only a stone. David was a moral figure for Florence because he represented them earlier during this time in which they were living under threat of invasion by King Ladislaus. The Medici’s chose to patronize another statue of him, perhaps to revive humanism even more. During this time, the Medici family was coming to power in

COPPER: I think Napoleon crowned himself at the coronation because he was cocky and arrogant so much so that he even did the crowning himself. Another reason Napoleon might've crowned himself was that he may've been scared that the Pope would hesitate or refuse to do it at the last moment so he took it upon himself to do it.

If you look closely at the story and see, how did Napoleon get his power? It was from fear and propaganda that he used.

Jean-Louis David, the author of the painting, was a well-known supporter of the idea of the French Republic, and he used art as a means of propaganda, getting the people ready for an incoming conflict (Harris & Zucker, n.d.). The painting depicts two families, the Horatii and the Curiatii, and an old legend about a war between Rome and Alba. The members of these families were chosen to decide the victorious side in a battle, even though they were intermaritally related. Therefore, regardless of the winners, the family will be torn apart and suffer.

Another painting by David is the Napoleon Crossing the Alps 1800, this shows Napoleon pointing and following the

How have historians tried to evaluate the ultimate goal of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French? With such a variety of perspectives, there is no single theory that can fully answer the breadth of the question. Instead, kaleidoscopes of opinions that span centuries from Napoleon’s reign to contemporary research give us the best analysis of his ambitions. No matter the era, historian’s opinions of Napoleon shift between admiring his achievements, in varying contexts of establishing order or reorganizing governmental systems, to criticizing his personal lust for power. This essay will discuss the varying opinions by which historians view Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, and his fundamental objective as ruler.

Now Jonathon Brown thinks the setting and characters do not have much importance on what the painting really means. Of course, he says that the painting is to show respect to the Court and the King and Queen and show just how important they but this cannot tell us much about the painting itself. The painting is to show the artist himself as noble as the people of the court as well. It’s trying to depict a picture that shows the value of the artist himself “royal epiphany” (Brown, 92) all

Due to the instabilities caused by the Napoleonic Wars a new style of architecture did not develop during Napoleons rule, resulting in the continuation of pre-French Revolution classicism. With the intention of articulating imperialistic grandeur and referencing France as the “new Roman Empire” , an emphasis was placed on neoclassical elements and the use of columns and arches becoming more liberal. Jean Chalgrin’s Arch de Triomphe provides an example of politically motivated neoclassical architecture. The triumphant arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to serve as an honorary monument and rallying point for the French military . Inspired in part by the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum, decorative high-relief sculptures celebrating military victories from the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars adorn the structure . It is evident that Napoleon believed that as an empire that had annexed and made most of Europe into its satellites, the First French Empire deserved to have its grandeur reflected by a monument that referenced one of the world’s largest and most successful ancient Empires. Through large and imposing monumental structures, Napoleon sought to reminded French society of the military and political successes that had been achieved under his rule and consequently idealise his leadership, The First

This document speaks to how in many ways they put Napoleon on a pedestal and how he took this view in order to gain more power. The purpose of this document is to show Napoleon as a more godly figure and to move him into the view of an absolute ruler. This helps to show how Napoleon betrayed the legacy of the French revolution by taking on an absolute

Jacques-Louis David was a Neo-classical artist in 18th Century France. He painted in this serious style as a direct reaction against the accepted Rococo art era. Whilst the Rococo era was shallow and frivolous in subject matter (see The Swing, right), David’s paintings focused strongly on ideas of sacrifice and duty. But why would he work in this way? It was because David had a clear purpose for his art. He was a strong Republican who longed for the day when France would overthrow the gluttonous,