World Museum Guide
#29

Most Searched Artwork #29 Worldwide

Napoleon Crossing the Alps

Jacques-Louis David · 1801–1805 · Château de Malmaison

Quick Answer

Napoleon Crossing the Alps (also called Bonaparte Crossing the Grand Saint-Bernard Pass) is a series of five oil paintings by French artist Jacques-Louis David, created between 1801 and 1805. Each painting depicts Napoleon Bonaparte on a rearing white horse, arm outstretched, leading his army across the Alps in May 1800. In reality, Napoleon crossed on a mule, guided by a local. David transformed the event into heroic propaganda. Versions are in collections in France, Germany, and Austria.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David — Napoleon on a rearing horse gesturing forward across the Alps

Public domain — Jacques-Louis David, 1801. Château de Malmaison / Wikimedia Commons.

At a Glance

Artist
Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825)
Created
1801–1805
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
261 × 221 cm (102.8 × 87 in)
Location
Château de Malmaison, Rueil-Malmaison (one of five versions)

Find it at

Château de Malmaison

Rueil-Malmaison, France

"Napoleon asked to be painted 'calm, on a spirited horse' — the truth was a mule and a mountain guide"

History & Story

David was commissioned in 1800 by Charles IV of Spain to paint the image of Napoleon's crossing of the Great Saint Bernard Pass in May 1800, when the First Consul led his army through the Alps to surprise the Austrian forces in northern Italy, ultimately winning the Battle of Marengo. When David asked whether Napoleon should be portrayed realistically or heroically, Napoleon reportedly replied: 'Calm, on a spirited horse.'

David produced five versions of the composition — for different patrons — between 1801 and 1805. The most famous is in the Château de Malmaison near Paris. Napoleon's secretary later confirmed that Napoleon actually crossed on a mule, guided by a local peasant. The boulder on which Napoleon's name is carved alongside those of Hannibal and Charlemagne (previous conquerors who also crossed the Alps) was David's own addition.

Why It Matters

Napoleon Crossing the Alps is one of the most successful works of political propaganda in art history. David's ability to make the viewer believe in Napoleon's heroic, godlike authority — through the rearing horse, the dramatic sky, the pointing arm — creates exactly the image Napoleon wanted. The painting established the template for all subsequent images of leaders on horseback as icons of authority and destiny.

Key Facts & Figures

How Napoleon really crossed: On a mule, guided by a local peasant — confirmed by Napoleon's secretary Louis de Bourrienne
Five versions made: David painted five near-identical versions for different patrons; versions are at Malmaison, Versailles, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna
The boulder: The names 'HANNIBAL' and 'KAROLVS MAGNVS IMP' ('Charlemagne') carved on the foreground boulder were David's addition — connecting Napoleon to history's greatest conquerors
Napoleon's instruction: Napoleon told David to paint him 'calm, on a spirited horse' — the pose was propaganda, not observation
Paul Delaroche's response: Painter Paul Delaroche made a rival version in 1850 showing Napoleon realistically on a mule — it was considered an anti-Napoleonic provocation

Common Questions About Napoleon Crossing the Alps

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