The legend is famous. You have probably heard it in your history class. The Pope held the crown. Napoleon stood up. He snatched the crown from the hands of the Pope. Then, he placed it on his own head. Next, he turned his back on the Church and declared his power came from himself alone. It is a great story. Furthermore, it is mostly true. However, you will not see this moment if you look at the real artwork in the Louvre Museum. You will see him holding a crown over his wife Josephine. Therefore, you might wonder why the artist changed the true story of Napoleon crowning himself.
The Original Plan For Napoleon Crowning Himself
Jacques Louis David originally intended to paint Napoleon crowning himself. We have his early drawings. They show Napoleon standing with his back to the Pope. He holds the crown high over his own head. The image looks arrogant and aggressive. Napoleon reviewed these sketches. He realized the image was too strong. The ruler wanted to look like a kind father to the nation. Therefore, he ordered David to change the scene. He chose the moment after he took the crown. Specifically, he chose the moment he shared his glory with his wife.
The Political Message of Crowning Josephine
Showing Napoleon crowning Josephine was a smart public relations move.
- It Softens His Image. Crowning himself looks selfish. Meanwhile, crowning his wife looks generous. It portrays him as a loving husband. This creates an emotional connection with you and the other viewers.
- It Shows Absolute Power. Look closely at the canvas. Napoleon is already wearing a crown. He wears a gold laurel wreath like a Roman Emperor. Additionally, he holds the second crown in his hands. The Pope sits behind him and does nothing. The message is clear. Napoleon controls the crowns. He can give them to anyone. Ultimately, he does not need the help of the Church.
- It Legitimizes the Dynasty. He makes Josephine an Empress by crowning her. This action lifts his entire family to royal status. He tells the world they are the new monarchy.
The Laurel Wreath vs The Crown
Napoleon wears two different symbols on his head in the painting. This is a crucial detail.
- The Charlemagne Crown. The crown he holds in his hands is a replica of the crown of Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first Holy Roman Emperor. Napoleon linked himself to medieval French history by using this style.
- The Golden Laurel Wreath. The crown on his head is different. It is a golden laurel wreath. This is a symbol of Ancient Rome. Caesar wore a laurel wreath. Napoleon linked himself to the Roman Empire by wearing this. He told the world he was greater than the Kings of France. Essentially, he was a new Caesar.
The Humiliation of the Pope
The painting is softer than the reality. However, it still humiliates the Pope. Pope Pius VII traveled across the Alps in winter to attend the ceremony. In the past, the Pope always placed the crown on the head of the King. This symbolized that God gave power to the King through the Pope. Napoleon broke this tradition. He placed the crown on his own head. Consequently, he proved his power came from his sword and the French people. The painting captures the resignation of the Pope. He blesses the event. Yet, he does not control it.
The Final Masterpiece
The painting is a masterclass in subtlety. A picture of Napoleon crowning himself would have looked scandalous. The public would have seen it as a rebellion. The artwork we have today is smarter. It looks elegant and romantic. The message remains the same. The Pope sits down. The Emperor stands up. The crown rests firmly in the hands of Napoleon.
To understand the man behind the crown, you should see where his journey ended. The glory of the painting contrasts sharply with his final resting place. Check our comparison of Napoleon Tomb vs Coronation The Rise And Fall Of An Empire to see the full story of his life.
