Bonaparte Crossing the Alps
On the 15th of May 1800, Napoleon and his army of 40,000 soldiers began their journey through the Alps. They did not take a wide road or an easy path. Instead they chose the Great St Bernard Pass as their route. This pass was the shortest way to reach Italy quickly. The Austrians expected no large force to cross such mountains. Napoleon planned to surprise them with this bold move. His goal was to regain control in Italy after years of conflict. Reports of French defeats had reached him while he was still in Egypt. He secretly returned to Paris to lead the campaign himself. The journey would last five days through difficult terrain. During that time the army consumed almost 22,000 bottles of wine. They also ate more than a tonne and a half of cheese. Around 800 kilograms of meat were eaten by the troops. These supplies sustained them during the harsh crossing.
Paul Delaroche studied under Antoine-Jean Gros who was a protege of Jacques-Louis David. He became known for portraits and grand historical subjects from both history and the Bible. In 1848 he received a commission for a new painting about Napoleon. Arthur George Third Earl of Onslow asked him to create it. George reportedly visited the Louvre in Paris with Delaroche. There they saw David's version of the famous event. It had been re-hung only recently after nearly 40 years of exile. George owned a sizable collection of Napoleonic paraphernalia. He agreed that David's painting was unrealistic. So he commissioned Delaroche to make something more accurate. Elizabeth Foucart-Walker claims the Louvre-Lens version came first since it was already in America by 1850. Stephen Bann suggests George may have met Delaroche but chose two identical works instead. One went to Liverpool while another stayed in France.
David's series showed Napoleon calm on a spirited horse. His five paintings presented a glorified vision of the emperor. They depicted him crossing the Great St Bernard Pass as a heroic figure. Delaroche took a different approach when creating his own work. He painted Napoleon riding a mule instead of a noble steed. The mule was obtained at a convent located in Martigny. Critics noted this choice reflected historical accuracy rather than romanticism. Mules were considered sure-footed on slippery slopes and narrow passes. They proved sturdier and hardy during perilous journeys over volatile terrain. This decision contrasted sharply with typical gentleman mounts of the time. Some critics disapproved of Delaroche's lowered standards in art because of this realism. Others felt he sought the genius of Napoleon without success. The visual difference between the two artists remained stark throughout their careers.
Soon after its completion the painting traveled to England for display. In 1850 it received attention from the Athenæum literary magazine. The publication reviewed the work extensively despite mixed feelings about it. While some praised features of the painting others criticized Delaroche himself. The Gentleman's Magazine wrote text describing what they saw as lowered artistic standards. These comments appeared shortly after the painting arrived across the channel. The Athenæum was widely read between 1828 and 1923 in London. It grew into one of the most influential periodicals of the Victorian era. Most content included articles reviews scientific news political updates literature fine art music theatre science politics. Critics argued that Delaroche failed to capture true greatness in his subject matter. Their opinions reflected broader debates about historical accuracy versus idealized representation.
Several versions of this painting exist today across different locations. One hangs in the Louvre-Lens museum while another resides at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool England. Queen Victoria owned a small version of the original artwork. The Liverpool painting was commissioned by Arthur George Third Earl of Onslow. Historical records show the Louvre-Lens version may have been produced first since it reached America by 1850. Stephen Bann suggests two nearly identical works were created intentionally. One went to America while the other remained for public display in Europe. These paintings preserve the legacy of Napoleon's crossing through time. They serve as tangible links to events from over two centuries ago. Each version offers unique insights into how history was remembered during the mid-1800s.
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Common questions
When did Napoleon and his army begin crossing the Alps in 1800?
Napoleon and his army of 40,000 soldiers began their journey through the Alps on the 15th of May 1800. The crossing took five days to complete through difficult terrain.
Which route did Napoleon choose for his army to cross the Great St Bernard Pass?
Napoleon chose the Great St Bernard Pass as the shortest way to reach Italy quickly. This pass was selected instead of a wide road or an easy path to surprise the Austrians.
What supplies did the French army consume during the five day journey across the mountains?
The army consumed almost 22,000 bottles of wine along with more than a tonne and a half of cheese. They also ate around 800 kilograms of meat to sustain them during the harsh crossing.
Why did Paul Delaroche paint Napoleon riding a mule instead of a horse?
Paul Delaroche painted Napoleon riding a mule obtained at a convent located in Martigny to reflect historical accuracy rather than romanticism. Mules were considered sure-footed on slippery slopes and narrow passes while proving sturdier during perilous journeys over volatile terrain.
Where are the surviving versions of the Bonaparte Crossing the Alps painting located today?
One version hangs in the Louvre-Lens museum while another resides at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool England. Queen Victoria owned a small version of the original artwork and one copy reached America by 1850.