Bonaparte Crossing the Grand Saint-Bernard Pass, 20 May 1800 Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825)

This is a painting titled Bonaparte Crossing the Grand Saint-Bernard Pass, 20 May 1800 by Jacques-Louis David. The image depicts Napoleon Bonaparte, dressed in a magnificent military uniform and a flowing golden cape, heroically riding a rearing white horse. He is pointing forward with his right hand, suggesting a decisive command or revelation. The horse is dramatically posed against a backdrop of rugged, snow-capped mountains and a stormy sky, emphasizing the arduous and dangerous nature of the journey.
In the lower left of the painting, carved into rocks, are names of great commanders who had previously crossed the Alps: BONAPARTE, ANNIBAL (Hannibal), and KAROLVS MAGNVS (Charlemagne). This placement is a deliberate artistic choice meant to elevate Napoleon to the same historical stature as these legendary figures, likening his crossing to their own monumental feats.
The subtext of the painting is largely one of propaganda and glorification. David, as Napoleons official painter, was tasked with creating an image that would solidify Napoleons heroic image as a brilliant military leader and a visionary conqueror. The painting is not a realistic depiction of the actual event, as Napoleon is said to have crossed the pass on a mule and in more practical attire. Instead, its a highly idealized and dramatic portrayal designed to inspire awe and admiration for Napoleon and his ambition. The rearing horse, the flowing cape, the dramatic gesture, and the monumental historical comparisons all combine to create a powerful myth of Napoleons invincibility and destiny.