Sunday 21 August 2011

Neoclassicm -Napoleon Crossing the Saint-Bernard


Jacques-Louis David, Napolean Crossing the Saint Bernard. 1800-01, Oil  piant, Musee National du Chateau de la Malmaison, Rueil -Malmaison
 The figure shows that Napolean is rearing a horse on a hill. It shows the glory of the Napolean which he is leading to the top of the Alps in Italy in 1800.


The animal that Napolean rearing on the way to the Alps is a horse. which urgue the viewer to follow him. However, the questions comes when the painter of this artwork is replacing the donkey which Napolean rear into a horse?


From the research, it shows that the Napolean is crossing the Alps mountain with a dockey and a simple grey coat. However, it is different with the artwork which shows Napoleon is crossing the Alps mountain with a horse and a luxury garment.


Above analysis give me a indication that Jacques- Louis David wants to present to the whole world regarding his victory over his troop and prove the statue of him who rule over the whole French. It is done during the French revolution.However, David was imprisoned due to the propaganda and the political affilication. (French Revolution and the Visual Language of Power , 2009 )
In terms of appearance, the shape of the cloak suggest that there is a strong windblow over the hill and the extension of his right arm gives me a sense of direction toward the path he will going. In addition, the expression of the Napolean which lead the troop shows a confidence and a solemn expression, this seems to be encouraging his military troop toward the Alps mountain. (wikispaces.com, Napoleon Crossing the Saint-Bernard )

Besides that, the artwork contain some characteristic from the Baroque era, which it gives  a sense of theatre feeling to the viewer. (Art history ,2002) This is obvious when the artwork contain more of diagonal shape rather than organic shape. For example, the triangle lines can be seen from front  leg of the horse to the extend hand of the napolean; followed by the back leg of the horse.

In addition, the posture of the Napolean left leg  as well as the cloak blown by the wind gives the viewer a sense of movement. The attire worn by the Napolean indicating the power and the statues as a General.






Resources:

Mod World, (N.D.), Napolean Crossing the Saint-Bernard painted in 1800 by Jacques -Louis David, retrieved by 22th August2011,from http://modwrld.wikispaces.com/message/view/home/14058747 

Stephen Addiss; Chu-Tsing Li; Marylin M. Rhie, Christopher D. Roy,(2002) Chapter 27 Nineteenth-Century Art in Europe and the United States.,Art History Second Edition, The University of Kansas, Retrieved by 22th August 2011.

New Museum of Comtemporary Art (2009),  Lesson : French Revolution and Visual Language of Power, Retrieved from 22th August 2011 , from http://www.gclass.org/lessons/plans/french-revolution-and-visual-language-of-power




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