Question

In 1800, Napoleon led his reserve army across the Alps into Italy to fight Austrian forces that had laid siege to Genoa. Although Genoa had fallen by the time Napoleon had reached it, the crossing led to a series of important military victories for Napoleon. Review the two paintings of Napoleon. Both paintings include figures of people other than Napoleon. What do the different treatments of these figures suggest about the painters' purposes in the two portraits?

Answer 1

Napoleon's two paintings depict two different faces of his personality. The painting by David shows Napoleon imposing, victorious on his horse, exuding confidence and prosperity. This painting shows Napoleon's face that was unbeatable in his victories and had the strength and elegance of a great leader.

On the other hand, Delaroche's painting shows a downcast and poor-looking Napoleon, because Delaroche wanted to show that even with so many victories, Napoleon was a human being like anyone else, with pain, tiredness and sadness.