Final answer:
Napoleon used art to build a heroic image, but his actions were not always heroic, including executions and poisoning of troops. Images like Jacques-Louis David's paintings embellished his achievements, while Napoleon's establishment of the Civil Code was a lasting contribution to law.
Step-by-step explanation:
Napoleon was skilled at crafting his image as a national hero, using art to manipulate perceptions about him. He sometimes engaged in actions that were far from heroic, such as ordering the execution of prisoners and the poisoning of his own troops during difficult retreats. Despite these actions, Napoleon's reputation was often shaped by the grand portraits and narratives that depicted him as a strong and controlled leader.
This image-making reached its zenith in works such as those by the painter Jacques-Louis David, who created iconic representations of Napoleon that emphasized his power and leadership, such as the famous depiction of Napoleon calmly crossing the Alps on a fiery horse.
Despite these glorifications, Napoleon did have tangible achievements. His contributions to legal reform with the introduction of the Napoleon Civil Code, and his restoration of the discredited nobility, were part of his efforts to stabilize and control his empire.