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The Coronation of Napoleon, also known as Napoleon Crowning the Empress Josephine, is a painting completed between 1806 and 1807 by Jacques-Louis David, the official painter of Napoleon. The painting depicts the coronation of Napoleon at Notre-Dame de Paris, where he crowns his wife, Josephine, as empress. The painting is a massive 10 metres wide by 6 metres tall and is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Coronation of Napoleon is a popular painting that has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the 2023 film Napoleon by Ridley Scott, where the painting is recreated in a scene depicting the coronation of Napoleon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Painting | The Coronation of Napoleon (French: Le Sacre de Napoléon) |
| Other Names | Napoleon Crowning the Empress Josephine, Sacre de l’empereur Napoléon 1er et couronnement de l’impératrice Joséphine dans la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, le 2 décembre 1804, The Consecration of Napoleon, Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine on December 2, 1804, The Coronation of Napoleon and the Crowning of Joséphine at Notre-Dame de Paris, 2 December 1804 |
| Artist | Jacques-Louis David |
| Date of Completion | 1806/1807 |
| Medium | Oil paint |
| Dimensions | 10 metres (33 ft) wide by 6 metres (20 ft) tall |
| Current Location | Louvre Museum, Paris |
| Subject | Coronation of Napoleon and his wife, Josephine, as emperor and empress of France |
| Inspiration | The actual coronation ceremony of Napoleon and Josephine on December 2, 1804 |
| Historical Inaccuracy | Napoleon's mother, Maria Letizia Ramolino, was included in the painting despite not being present at the ceremony |
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What You'll Learn
The Coronation of Napoleon painting
The Coronation of Napoleon is a painting that depicts the coronation of Napoleon at Notre-Dame de Paris. It was completed in 1807 by Jacques-Louis David, the official painter of Napoleon. The oil painting is almost 10 metres (33 ft) wide and a little over 6 metres (20 ft) tall. It is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The painting depicts the moment during Napoleon I’s coronation as emperor of France when he crowns his wife, Joséphine, as empress. Napoleon is shown dressed in coronation robes similar to those of Roman emperors. The composition is organised around several axes, incorporating the rules of neoclassicism. One axis passes through the cross and has a vertical orientation, while a diagonal line runs from the pope to the empress. All eyes are turned towards Napoleon, who is the centre of the composition.
The idea for the French Empire came about in 1804, partly as a solution to the frequent threats on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, then the first consul. A British-financed assassination plot had been uncovered, and Bonaparte decided to react vigorously to deter his opponents. The painting was commissioned by Napoleon orally in September 1804, and Jacques-Louis David started work on it in December 1805 in the former chapel of the College of Cluny, near the Sorbonne, which served as a workshop. Assisted by his student Georges Rouget, he put the finishing touches to the painting in January 1808.
The Coronation of Napoleon was exhibited at the Salon annual painting display in 1808 and presented to the Salon decennial prize competition in 1810. It was displayed in the Palace of Versailles from 1833 until 1889 when it was moved to the Louvre. A second copy of the painting, which David painted in Paris and then in Brussels in 1808-1822, is now in the Palace of Versailles.
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Jacques-Louis David, the painter
Jacques-Louis David, born on August 30, 1748, was a French painter and a prominent figure in French Neoclassicism. He was regarded as the leading painter in France and perhaps all of Western Europe during his time. David was born into a prosperous family in Paris, but tragedy struck when his father was killed in a duel when he was around nine years old. Following this, his mother left him in the care of his well-off architect uncles, who ensured he received an excellent education. Despite his academic struggles due to a facial tumour that affected his speech, David excelled in drawing and pursued his passion for art. He studied under François Boucher, a leading Rococo painter, and later transitioned to the classical style with Joseph-Marie Vien at the Royal Academy, now the Louvre.
David's talent and influence extended beyond his artwork. He played a significant role in shaping the next generation of artists as he had a large number of pupils, including Antoine-Jean Gros and Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. David's students held him in high esteem, and his influence on French art in the early 19th century was profound. David's works were not without controversy, however. His painting "The Death of Marat" caused a stir, and he was involved in political affairs, including an incident where he refused to intervene on behalf of a woman accused of crimes against the Republic.
One of David's most renowned works is "The Coronation of Napoleon" (or "Le Sacre de Napoléon" in French), a monumental oil painting completed in 1806-1807. This impressive work measures almost 10 metres wide by over 6 metres tall and is exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The painting depicts the coronation of Napoleon and the crowning of his wife, Joséphine, as empress, during a lavish ceremony at Notre-Dame de Paris. David's use of Neoclassical values of restraint and clarity makes this painting a unique historical representation of a contemporary event.
David had a close association with Napoleon, becoming the first painter to the imperial court and receiving several commissions from him. "The Coronation of Napoleon" is a testament to their collaboration, with David attending the coronation himself and creating preliminary studies for the painting. Interestingly, upon Napoleon's inspection, David was asked to make changes to the painting, including shifting the central action to depict the emperor crowning Joséphine, which is a more historically accurate representation of the event.
Jacques-Louis David's artistic legacy is significant, and he is remembered not only for his paintings but also for his impact on the development of European and French art. He passed away on December 29, 1825, and was initially buried in Brussels due to his involvement in the regicide of King Louis XVI. However, his heart was allegedly buried with his wife at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
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Pope's attendance
The Pope's attendance at the coronation of Napoleon and Josephine is a notable aspect of the event, and it is depicted in Jacques-Louis David's painting "The Coronation of Napoleon". The Pope's presence holds significance due to the delicate balance between church and state at the time. Napoleon sought Catholic approval for his new empire, and the Pope's attendance served this purpose.
In the painting, the Pope is an integral part of the composition. A diagonal line runs from the Pope to the empress, highlighting their connection. The Pope is depicted holding up the crown for Napoleon, who then places it on his own head—a bold act that emphasised his power. This depiction of the Pope anointing the proceedings was a specific request from Napoleon, who wanted an active role for the Pope rather than a passive one.
The original sketches of the key subjects, including the Pope, showed them without clothing, which was added later in the painting. In early sketches, David intended to show Napoleon crowning himself, with the Pope sitting passively behind him. However, upon Napoleon's inspection, changes were made, and the final painting depicts the Pope playing a more active role in the ceremony.
The Pope's attendance at the coronation was a diplomatic decision to maintain a balance between the church and the state in the newly formed French Empire. David's painting captures this delicate interplay, showcasing the Pope's presence while also emphasising Napoleon's power and centrality in the composition.
The Coronation of Napoleon, with its imposing dimensions and intricate composition, serves as a historical record of this significant event, capturing the grandeur of the ceremony and the political dynamics of the time.
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Napoleon's self-crowning
The Coronation of Napoleon, also known as Napoleon Crowning the Empress Josephine, is a painting completed between 1806 and 1807 by Jacques-Louis David, the official painter of Napoleon. The painting depicts the coronation of Napoleon at Notre-Dame de Paris, where he famously crowned himself before placing the crown on his wife's head.
The painting itself is a monumental work, measuring almost 10 metres wide and over 6 metres tall. It is a history painting of a contemporary event, using the Neoclassical values of restraint and clarity to depict a crowded ceremony. David attended the coronation with his family and began preliminary studies for the painting in 1805. Upon Napoleon's inspection, David was required to make several changes, including the central action of the painting. Originally, David planned to depict Napoleon crowning himself, with his right arm holding the crown above his head and his left hand clutching a sword, but ultimately, he painted Napoleon crowning Joséphine.
The Coronation of Napoleon is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris and has been the subject of public viewing and exhibitions. It is a significant work that captures a pivotal moment in French history, marking the instantiation of a modern empire and laying the foundation for a future dynasty.
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Empress Josephine's attire
The Coronation of Napoleon, also known as "Napoleon Crowning the Empress Josephine", is a painting that depicts the coronation of Napoleon at Notre-Dame de Paris in 1804. It was completed in 1807 by Jacques-Louis David, the official painter of Napoleon.
The key detail of Empress Josephine's attire is the diadem, which is a symbol of power. The diadem is set with spectacular stones and pearls and is part of a matching ensemble that includes a comb, a pair of bracelets, a necklace, and earrings. The latter two are adorned with baroque pear-shaped pearls, which the Empress was particularly fond of.
In the painting, Empress Josephine is depicted wearing her coronation regalia, which includes a crown created by the goldsmith Marguerite. The painter, François Gérard, was known for capturing the grandeur of the imperial court and paid close attention to the details of the imperial robes and crown.
Overall, Empress Josephine's attire in the painting "The Coronation of Napoleon" is a grand and majestic representation of her coronation costume, with the diadem as the most prominent and symbolic element.
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Frequently asked questions
The Coronation of Napoleon, also known as Sacre de Napoléon or Napoleon Crowning the Empress Josephine.
French artist Jacques-Louis David.
Work started on 21 December 1805, and it was completed in 1806 or 1807.
It is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
It is an oil painting, measuring 10 metres (33 ft) wide by 6 metres (20 ft) tall.
