Le Premier Consul franchissant les Alpes au col du Grand Saint-Bernard

1800

Oil on canvas, 102 × 87 in. Musée national du château de Malmaison, Rueil-Malmaison

The head of state in a mountain pass, given the heroic treatment of history painting while still in office.

Look at

Horse and rider form one strong diagonal, from the hind legs at lower right up to the horse's head and raised arm.
The cloak and horse's mane blow in the same direction, so the whole figure seems pushed by wind.
The soldiers and cannon behind are tiny, so by contrast the rider fills most of the canvas.

Ordered by the king of Spain; Malmaison notes Bonaparte asked to be shown calm on a fiery horse.
The rocks carry the names Hannibal, Karolus Magnus and Bonaparte; four other versions exist.

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (faithful reproduction of a public-domain 2D work)