You cannot separate the art from the artist. The Coronation of Napoleon Louvre painting represents an Emperor. Furthermore, it serves as the masterpiece of a true survivor.
Jacques Louis David was the most famous painter in Europe. He was also a radical revolutionary. For instance, he voted for the death of King Louis XVI. Additionally, he acted as a close friend of Robespierre. When the political winds changed, the artist should have lost his head. Instead, he found a new hero. Consequently, he became the First Painter to Napoleon Bonaparte. This is the story of how he created the specific propaganda piece that defined an entire era.
The Challenge of the Commission
Napoleon did not ask for a simple portrait. Rather, he asked for a permanent monument. The new ruler wanted a painting that would legitimize his rule. Moreover, he wanted to prove to the world that he was a monarch chosen by destiny.
David accepted the massive challenge. Therefore, he attended the actual ceremony on December 2, 1804. The artist stood in the choir of Notre Dame Cathedral. He sketched quickly while the ceremony dragged on for hours. Ultimately, he captured the lighting, the velvet robes, and the bored expressions of the guests.
The Scale of the Work
The first thing you notice is the massive size.
- The height is 6.21 meters or 20 feet.
- The width is 9.79 meters or 32 feet.
As a result, it is the second largest painting in the Louvre. David had to rent a former church to secure a studio big enough to hold the canvas. Furthermore, he used wooden planks and ladders to reach the top sections. He worked on the project for three full years. Naturally, he did not work alone. He managed a dedicated team of assistants. They painted the repetitive details like the carpet patterns and the hundreds of spectators in the background.
Putting Himself in the Picture
David observed the event and demanded credit for his hard work. Look up at the gallery in the painting. Napoleon’s mother stands right in the center. Surprisingly, she was not actually there. To her left, you can see a man sketching in a notebook.
That man is Jacques Louis David. He essentially painted himself into history. His family and friends surround him. By placing himself in the VIP section, he improved his social status. Thus, he acted as both a hired hand and a direct witness to the glory of Napoleon the Great.
Managing the Emperor
Painting the Coronation of Napoleon Louvre masterpiece was a political minefield. Napoleon visited the studio often. He criticized the work frequently.
First, Napoleon demanded the Pope look active. Therefore, David had to repaint the hand to show a formal blessing. Next, David originally painted the red heels of the nobility. The Emperor quickly told him to change them. He wanted his court to look military and modern. When David finally finished the painting in 1808, Napoleon came to see it. He stared at it for an hour. Afterward, he told the artist the work was very good and one could walk right through the canvas.
The End of David
This painting was the absolute peak of his career. However, it was also the beginning of the end. When Napoleon fell from power in 1815, David went into permanent exile. The new King, Louis XVIII, did not forgive him for voting to kill his royal brother. Consequently, David fled to Brussels. He eventually died in exile. Tragically, a carriage hit him in 1825.
Friends buried his heart in Paris. Meanwhile, the government refused to let his body return. Today, the painting remains his greatest legacy. It ultimately proves that art often holds more power than the army.
David was a master of political theater. He knew exactly how to make a short man look like a giant. You should see the specific visual tricks he used in his most famous work. Read our breakdown of Napoleon Crowning Himself The Myth vs The Painting to see his genius in action.
