Who painted Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole?
Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole was painted by the French artist Antoine-Jean Gros in 1796. The work was commissioned by Josephine while she was accompanying Napoleon during his Italian Campaign.
Questions about Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What battle does Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole depict?
The painting depicts an episode from the Battle of Arcole in November 1796, showing General Napoleon Bonaparte leading his troops to storm the bridge. Gros captured the moment as a three-quarter-length portrait against a smoky battlefield background.
Where is Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole currently located?
The painting is held at the Palace of Versailles, where it carries the inventory number MV 6314. It arrived there in 1938 after passing through the collections of Napoleon, Napoleon III, Eugenie de Montijo, and the Louvre.
Why did Josephine commission Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole?
Josephine commissioned the portrait from Antoine-Jean Gros while accompanying Napoleon during the Italian Campaign in 1796. Because Napoleon could not sit still for extended sittings, Josephine held him in her lap for the duration Gros required to study him.
Are there other versions of Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole?
Yes. Versions of the composition are held at the Musee Napoleon in Arenenberg, Switzerland, and at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. A preparatory sketch, approved by Bonaparte himself as the basis for the final work, is at the Musee du Louvre.
When was Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole first exhibited publicly?
The painting was exhibited at the Salon of 1801, several years after Gros completed it in Naples in 1796.