alps alps called napoleon crossing alps despite existence known painting oil canvas portrait french artist painting depicts leading army alps journey napoleon army soldiers spring attempt surprise austrian army italy main versions painting exist paris liverpool england queen victoria obtained reduced version work inspired series napoleon crossing alps paintings david works napoleon journey significant stylistic differences napoleon cold david wears uniform hero commissioned paint realistic portrait style emerging time painting largely represented pioneers emerging style work criticised authorities subject reasons varied depiction scene general disapproval state mind felt trying match genius napoleon way failed background historical background campaign french revolutionary wars napoleon prepared invade conquer egypt time province ottoman_empire military action promised numerous benefits including securing french trade interests british access india july napoleon landed shores egypt lengthy chain conflicts heavy casualties campaign resulted ottoman british victory napoleon received news france austrian forces italy decided return paris order regain upper hand planned launch surprise assault austrian army stationed based assumption austrians expect napoleon large force able traverse alps chose route selected shortest route alps great enable reach destination quickly possible napoleon army including field artillery baggage trains light artillery infantry cavalry began journey mountains days spent traversing pass napoleon army consumed bottles wine half cheese kilograms meat following crossing alps napoleon commenced military operations austrian army despite start campaign austrian forces driven nearly month large battle took place june resulted austrian evacuation italy early works based topics bible old testament gradually interests switched painting scenes english french history combined skill interest detailed scenes history crossing alps painted roughly years death phase career commissioning aside inspired create alps felt looked like napoleon achievements comparable napoleon likely painting relatively historically accurate details napoleon clothes appear researched effort authenticity painting commissioning painting liverpool painting commissioned earl reportedly visited paris saw david version famous event recently hung museum resurgence interest napoleon nearly years exiled agreeing painting unrealistic george owned sizable collection napoleonic commissioned create realistic depiction asserts fact painting hangs produced america liverpool painting produced suggests meeting occurred chose produce works identical send america liverpool version painting refined contrast david depiction contrast depiction scene napoleon traversing alps way italy portrait king spain requested napoleon gift depiction crossing alps easily apparent significant difference napoleon clothing general stature david version depicts napoleon dressed multi coloured uniform cape version sees napoleon fairly ordinary gray coat sole purpose keeping cold away showing symbol represented powerful war leader impression given david version significant difference napoleon way holds david napoleon flamboyant confident leadership french army ability cross alps defeat austrians italy instead harsh cold eyes face evidence result long unstable trek properly significant difference art works excluding actual setting background men seen distance etc difference animals napoleon rides david version napoleon rides large strong long david version napoleon known ridden journey borrowed local peasant horse presence horse major grounds criticism david version basis claim alps includes realistic portrayal scene analysis setting napoleon seen wearing clothing appropriate location uniform wears long wrapped firmly keeps right hand warm retains piece dignity gold trimmed black wears head napoleon rides tired ordeal struggling alps left guide constantly push forward heavily shaft wood left hand allow continue moving forward clothes weather beaten face cold allowed luxury riding animal able navigate independently ground elements cold harsh environment alps apparent distant mountains capped snow rise napoleon troupe steep cliff face appears left path thick layer ice members napoleon entourage seen slightly robust figures napoleon shown high mountains mortal man way napoleon figure contrasts extreme david version shows napoleon cold heroic light artwork intended portray hostile way wanted depict napoleon credible man suffered underwent human daring exploits felt making appear situation means diminish napoleon iconic status legacy admirable person artistic style mass white seen napoleon amber sunlight glow originating west napoleon troupe central source lighting painting introduces contrast coupled shadow illumination highlights key aspects scene particularly seen light falls chest napoleon richly visually contrasting light shade guide leading ice snow layers sunshine west scene cliff left napoleon guide legs cast shadows balance lighting scheme painting schemes uses painting detailed considered especially regards important figures aspects work described rendered fidelity omitted texture animal detail harness especially fur intensely detailed look visually rough weary worn techniques applied red yellow hung animal central detail napoleon applied coat detail diversity given guide particularly face green wind caught leather boots attention detail literal precision painting demonstrates slow steady evolution realism art 19th century popularity began rise reception work despite attempt depict napoleon criticised authorities variety reasons disapproved choice painting disapproved saying form sought genius napoleon avail soon completion work taken england reviewed critic literary magazine magazine comments work indicated praised painting features criticised reasons officer french costume mounted conducted rough peasant dangerous pass traces scarcely deep lying snow aide camp visible alps facts rendered fidelity omitted texture animal detail harness drifting embedded snow solitary sun ray moment given truth dear like qualities foremost rank excellence daring genius led humble lieutenant ruler larger europe sought vain displeased work time general alps criticising described lowered standards art critics included wrote following text reveal modification style happy recent works calculated restore sympathy lost confessed artist talent genius education study qualified painter artist true sense word failed true mission artist advancing education masses power impulse yielded reflection light instead public lowered public gallery
Bonaparte Crossing the Alps