Napoleon and the arts

pre-class prep:  read Chu pp. 110-128 (PDF)

                            watch YouTube video Napoleon Bonaparte: Crash Course

people, terms, and concepts: Napoleon, Napoleonic Empire (1804-15), patron, patronage system, market system

As a further examination of art under the patronage system (and of one of the most famous people in history), we are examining the importance of art in shaping the reputation of Napoleon Bonaparte, both by his supporters and by his enemies.  For any of the images below, be able to discuss the following:

• What subject/story/event is being depicted and how does it relate to Napoleon's biography or career?

• Was the work produced under the patronage system or the market system?  If the former, who was the patron?  In either case, who was the probable intended audience?  

• What 'message' was the patron and/or artist trying to tell the audience through the work?  Why would either or both of them have wanted to reach their audience with that message?

• Analyze the work:  How did the artist carefully design the work to convey that message?  Think about the use of light and color, the composition, the moment of the action, the actions, gestures, and expressions of the characters, and so on.

• How do these works show the changing ambition of Napoleon (or if you prefer different facets of his ambition) across his career, starting as a military general fighting for the Republic, through First Consul of the short-lived French Consulate, and ending as the (semi-divine) Emperor of France and much of Europe?

J-L David, Napoleon Crossing the Alps, 1801

Antoine-Jean Gros, Napoleon in the Pesthouse at Jaffa, 1804

J-L David, Napoleon in his Study, 1812

Ingres, Napoleon on his Imperial Throne, 1806

Rowlandson, Progress of the Emperor Napoleon, 1808

text reads:  'A Ragged-Headed Corsican Peasant' - 'Studying mischief at the Royal Military Academy at Paris' - 'An humble Ensign in a Republican Corps, requesting a situation in the British Army' - 'A determined Atheistical Republican General ordering his men to fire on the Parisians vollies of grape shot' - 'A Turk at Grand Cairo' - 'A Runaway from Egypt' - 'A Devout Catholic' - 'An Emperor on a Throne of Iniquities. O Tempora! O Mores!'

Antoine-Jean Gros, Napoleon as First Consul, 1802