Jacques-Louis David

Bonaparte, Calm on a Fiery Steed, Crossing the Alps
1801
Oil on canvas, 260 x 221 cm
Musée National du Château de Malmaison, Rueil

Full of enthusiasm for the new ruler of France, David painted Bonaparte, Calm on a Fiery Steed, Crossing the Alps. The title shows what could be expected of the general: he would be capable of ruling supremely well over an unruly Europe.

David and his studio executed four versions of this painting, differing only slightly in the colour of the mantle.