The Painting

"The Coronation" painting by French artist Jacques-Louis David depicts the 1804 crowning of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Its official title, "The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon I and Coronation of the Empress Josephine in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on 2 December 1804," is nearly as long as the painting itself. In fact, at 32' wide x 20' tall, David's painting is bigger than London's famous double decker bus.

Routemaster Bus vs Painting — A London Routemaster Bus vs. "The Coronation" Painting

David worked on "The Coronation" painting without interruption from 1805-1808. In 1808, the painting exhibited in Paris's Musée du Louvre, where it hangs today and is said to be the museum's second most visited painting, behind Leonardo DaVinci's "Mona Lisa."

The Coronation, Musée du Louvre — Jacques-Louis David, "The Coronation," Musée du Louvre
Photo by Kimberly Snover

"The Coronation" painting is an example of neoclassical art, which borrows design inspiration from the Ancient Greeks and Romans. In David's work, you'll notice Roman-inspired gowns, laurel leaf crowns, and classic architecture that seem more at home in Ancient Rome than in 19th century France.

In neoclassical painting, great attention is paid to accuracy of form. In order to capture each figure in tremendous detail, the artist arranged for individual portrait sittings of each of the 180 people shown.

Although he painted with an admirable attention to detail, David took several creative liberties with the events of the day. As you will discover, the artist wasn't simply creating an account for the archives, he was setting a scene for the ages.

Fact

In 1808, David was commissioned to paint a full-sized replica of the original "Coronation" painting by a group of American entrepreneurs. There is one notable difference between David's original painting below and his copy to the left. On coronation day, all five of Napoleon's sisters wore nearly identical pale blue gowns, as depicted in his original painting below.

The Coronation Painting — Jacques-Louis David, "The Coronation," Musée du Louvre

Fiction

In the reproduction version shown to the left, one sister is dressed in pink. The sister in pink is Napoleon's younger sister, Pauline, who was married to Italian Prince, Camillo Borghese. Princess Borghese, who was known for her beauty and daring charm, can perhaps be best understood through the art that features her.

The portrait by Lefèvreon below, depicts Pauline wearing a sheer gown, a casual pose and a confident smile, a daring arrangement for a woman of royal status. Similarly, the princess strikes a seductive pose in the sculpture by Antonio Canova. The statue was commissioned by Pauline's husband, who was said to be outraged to learn that Pauline had posed for the sculptor nearly nude.

Left: Robert Lefèvre, "Pauline Bonaparte" (1806);
Right: Antonio Canova, "Paulina Borghese as Venus Victrix" (1808)

It's not exactly known why Pauline's dress was changed for the final painting. Some surmise that Pauline was singled out as Napoleon's favorite sibling. Others say the artist was taken by her beguiling charm and wished to call special attention to her. Either way, it was Pauline's 'joie de vivre' that brought her the attention of many admirers, including both Emperor Bonaparte and artist David.

Did You Know?

When David completed "The Coronation" painting in 1808, he believed it to be the largest canvas in the world. In reality, Paolo Veronese's "Wedding at Cana," which also hangs in the Louvre, measures nearly two feet taller.

Wedding at Cana — Paolo Veronese, "The Wedding Feast at Cana" (1563), Musée du Louvre

The Place

Napoleon's coronation took place inside Notre-Dame de Paris. Originally built in 1163, the cathedral of Notre Dame is one of the world's best known examples of Gothic architecture. From its "flying buttresses" and famed gargoyles, to its pointed arches and intricate ornamentation, the cathedral is a stunning example of medieval design.

The photos below depict modern-day Notre Dame, which appears much the same as on the day of Napoleon's coronation. When you compare the photos inside Notre-Dame to the backdrop in David's painting, you'll notice that the artist's rendering of the cathedral looks quite different from reality. Circular columns with pointed arches were replaced by squared columns with rounded arches. Was the artist's depiction simply imagined?

Fact

At the time of his coronation, Napoleon fancied himself as a modern-day Julius Caesar. As such, Napoleon was enamored with neoclassical style. Notre-Dame's gothic design simply didn't match the emperor's vision, so Napoleon ordered his architects to transform Notre Dame into a setting straight from Ancient Rome.

Outside of the cathedral, a Roman-style rotunda was built. Inside of the cathedral, new stone columns were placed in front of the old, rich tapestries cloaked Notre-Dame's austere gray stone, and a grand throne was fashioned to accommodate the newly crowned emperor. The video below showcases the gothic cathedral's transformation into a neoclassical marvel:

"Coronation and Consecration of Napoleon I," Hart, Robson and Hicks

Because Napoleon fashioned his coronation in classic Roman style, the artist painted the cathedral largely as it appeared that day. If you look closely at David's painting on the left, you'll notice the cathedral's true façade — a Gothic window and an original stone column — circled above the top row of spectators. This is the real Notre-Dame de Paris. The rest was simply an elaborate stage built by Napoleon's architects.

Fiction

David did, however, take one creative liberty with the setting. In a bid to focus our attention on the crown — or, as legend has it, to make Napoleon appear taller — David shrunk the massive cathedral. The video below takes the emperor from David's painting and transports him to modern day Notre-Dame to show how the cathedral was resized to focus our attention on the emperor.

"The Shrinking of Notre-Dame," Kimberly Snover

Did You Know?

During the French Revolution, Notre-Dame was looted and used as a warehouse until Napoleon returned it to the Catholic Church shortly before his coronation.

The Artist

French artist Jacques-Louis David rose to prominence in the late 1700's, becoming one of the most recognized painters of his time. His austere, neoclassical style took cues from the art of Ancient Greece and Rome, and broke with the more decorative styles of his contemporaries.

During the French Revolution, David used his art as a means of propaganda to support Maximilien Robespierre, a key leader of the French Revolution. In 1794, following the Reign of Terror, Maximilien himself was captured and executed. After the fall of Robespierre, David threw his support behind the country's new rising star, a young general by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon and David soon became mutual admirers. In 1799, Napoleon commissioned David to paint his crossing of the Alps en route to battle the Austrians. The result on the left below, "Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass," shows Bonaparte gallantly riding a white horse towards victory.

David's romantic depiction of a brave General differed drastically from the same scene painted by French artist Paul Delaroche. In the portrait on the right, below, he white steed is replaced by a donkey and the young general appears wary and worn from the long journey.

Napoleon Crossing — "Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass," Jacques-Louis David (L) (1801) vs.
"Bonaparte Crossing the Alps," Paul Delaroche (R) (1850)

In 1804, with an eye towards his carefully-curated public image, Napoleon named David the official painter of the empire. Bonaparte commissioned the artist to paint a series of works commemorating his upcoming coronation. Over the next three years, David worked tirelessly to create the near life-sized painting we tour today. Of his collaboration with Napoleon, David said, "I shall slide into posterity in the shadow of my hero."

Fact

On December 2, 1804 David watched the coronation ceremony from inside Notre-Dame. That's the artist on the left, circled, with sketchbook in hand. Although David was invited to record the event by the emperor himself, he had a difficult time securing a seat at the ceremony. Watch the brief video below to understand how social class and rank nearly prevented "The Coronation" painting from taking place at all.

"Treasures of the Louvre," BBC FOUR

Fiction

Seated below David in the painting are his wife and two teenage daughters. To the right of the painter are David's mentors, students and assistants, as well as several friends, who were artists and poets in their own right. As you might imagine given painter's own difficulty securing a seat at the coronation, David's family and friends were not not in attendance on coronation day. Perhaps in response to his own near-snub, or because they were willing models, those nearest and dearest to the artist have been painted into history.

Did You Know?

During the Reign of Terror, Jacques Louis David signed death warrants for King Louis XVI, wife Marie Antoinette and the politician Alexandre de Beauharnais. By a stroke of fate, the death of Beauharnais set the stage for this very painting as Alexandre's widow was the future empress herself, Josephine de Beauharnais.

The Emperor

Napoleon Bonaparte was one of eight children born to Carlo Buonaparte and Maria Letizia Ramolino in 1769. Though he and his family lived on the small island of Corsica, just off the coast of Italy, his father was a diplomat who sent Napoleon to military school in France when he was just 8 years old. Napoleon graduated as an artillery officer at 16 years old and eventually earned command the French army at the age of 24.

Napoleon rose to prominence during the French Revolution. After waging a series of successful military campaigns, Napoleon staged a coup to become First Consul of the Republic in 1799. Five years later, Bonaparte named himself emperor of France. Watch the brief biography below to learn more about Napoleon's rapid rise to power.

"The Rise of Napoleon," The History Channel

"To attach no importance to public opinion is proof you do not merit its suffrage." — Napoleon

Coming of age during the French Revolution, Napoleon understood the power of the populace and recognized that he must endear himself to the masses in order to retain control. As a result, Bonaparte became a master of messaging. He censured the press and created his own newspaper, often featuring articles he'd written himself. Napoleon further built his image through works of art, commissioning artists who were not only sympathetic to his cause, but unabashed admirers.

One such admirer was renowned French painter, Jacques-Louis David. In 1804, Napoleon commissioned David to paint a series of works commemorating the emperor's coronation. The result, "The Coronation of Napoleon," was widely reported in French newspapers.

The painting below depicts a public viewing of David's "Coronation" when it debuted in the Louvre. In the lower left corner of the painting stands a member of Napoleon's army reading carefully curated information (i.e., propaganda) about the painting itself.

The Public Viewing David's Coronation at the Louvre — Louis Léopold Boilly, "The Public Viewing David's Coronation," The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fact

Napoleon was crowned Emperor of France on December 2, 1804. Inside the cathedral, Napoleon shocked the crowd when he took the crown and placed it atop his own head. It was an act of defiance and self-reliance that left an unforgettable impression on those who witnessed it. Watch this video to learn more about Napoleon's coronation.

"Napoleon's Coronation," BBC TWO

David's sketch below depicts Napoleon crowning himself with his right hand, while his left hand brings his sword to his heart. This drawing became the blueprint for the original "Coronation" painting.

Napoleon Crowns Himself — Jacques-Louis David, "Napoleon Crowning Himself," Musée du Louvre

Fiction

Reflecting upon David's original painting, both emperor and artist feared the French people would regard Napoleon's self-crowning in poor taste. Napoleon authorized David to change the moment of the painting to show the emperor instead crowning his wife Josephine.

This action changed the narrative of the painting, transforming the emperor from narcissist to knight, proudly sharing his newfound dignity with his wife. Of the change in composition, the artist said, "It will be more gallant, the Empress will attract more attention and the Emperor as well, since he will not seem to be thinking only of himself."

Did You Know?

If you look closely at "The Coronation" painting in the Louvre today, you can see the original outline of Napoleon crowning himself.

Madame Mère

Sitting on a throne in the middle of David's composition is Napoleon's mother, Maria Letizia Ramolino, or Madame Mère. Like Napoloen, Letizia was born on the island of Corsica. At 13 years old, she married Carlo Buonaparte and eventually gave birth to eight children, including the future emperor of France.

"She faced everything – the privations and the fatigue. She endured everything... My mother is worthy of every sort of admiration." — Napoleon Bonaparte

Letizia Bonaparte was a pragmatic, resourceful woman who Napoleon deeply respected. Although they were close and loved one another dearly, his mother never hesitated to tell Napoleon when she disagreed with him, and often took sides with her other children in their disputes with the emperor.

The Bonapartes were a typical large Mediterranean family in that each member seemed to take a meddling interest in the others' personal matters. Letizia, for one, never approved of Napoleon's marriage to Josephine. She questioned Josephine's 'easy morals' and expensive tastes. Tensions between mother and wife plagued Napoleon throughout his marriage. The video below shows the closeness between Napoleon and his mother, as well as her jealousy at the mere mention of Josephine's name.

"Napoléon," TV Mini-Series, A&E Network (2002)

Fact

Napoleon's mother never attended the coronation ceremony. She stayed in Rome to support Napoleon's brother Lucien, who wasn't invited to the coronation due to a dispute with his brother. For her part, Letizia was equally dismayed that Josephine was to be crowned empress while she held little by way of an imperial title. As a result, Napoleon's mother boycotted the ceremony entirely.

Fiction

In order to give the appearance of a unified imperial family, Napoleon asked the artist add his mother to the composition. After all, if Napoleon couldn't hold his own family together, what hope did he have to unite the vast territories under his rule?

There, in the center of David's painting, sits Napoleon's mother, upon a fictional throne, smiling approvingly as her son crowns the woman she detests. Below is the artist's sketch showing the faux pride of the Imperial Mother when, in reality, she was so dismayed by decisions surrounding the coronation that she opted to stay home. Her inclusion in David's "Coronation" was simply fake news.

Sketch of the Imperial Mother — Jacques-Louis David, "Madame Mère," Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Did You Know?

Napoleon's father, Carlo Buonaparte, gambled away most of his family's wealth. When Carlo passed away in 1785, he left his wife and children poverty stricken until Napoleon's rise to power. As a result, Letizia remained a tremendously frugal woman who saved nearly every cent she received.

The Empress

Empress Josephine was born Marie-Josèph-Rose Tascher de La Pagerie on the Caribbean island of Martinique. She was known as Rose before Napoleon first called her Josephine. Josephine's first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais, was guillotined during the French Revolution. Josephine narrowly avoided the same fate, only to be imprisoned instead.

When Josephine met General Bonaparte in 1795, she was a widow, six years Napoleon's senior and a mother to two teenage children. One year later, Josephine married Napoleon in a civil ceremony, much to the displeasure of the Bonaparte family who found it beneath him to marry an aging widow.

Because Napoleon and Josephine had no children of their own, Napoleon eventually divorced Josephine in 1810 in order to secure a legitimate heir to the throne. Despite this, Josephine is often described as Napoleon's one true love. After their separation, Napoleon said, "it is my will that [Josephine] retains the rank and title of empress, and that she never doubt my sentiments."

Watch the one-minute clip below to learn more about Napoleon and Josephine.

"Napoleon and Josephine," Biography.com

Fact

At the time of the coronation in 1804, Josephine was the mother of two adult children. In David's painting below (click for full-sized image), her son Eugène stands leaning against his sword on the far right of the painting. Her daughter, Hortense, stands behind her holding the hand of her grandson, Napoleon Charles, who was heir apparent to the throne. Unfortunately, Napoleon Charles died before his fifth birthday, which hastened the emperor's eventual divorce from Josephine.

Fiction

At the age of 41, Josephine was well into her middle years at the time of her coronation. The artist, however, painted the empress to look every bit as young as her 20 year-old daughter. In fact, Josephine's depiction in the final painting broke from the artist's earlier sketch below. From sketch to painting, you'll notice that Josephine's loose curls and fuller face have been replaced by a certain youthful perfection.

Sketch of the Empress Josephine — Jacques-Louis David, "Josephine, Empress of France," Musée du Louvre

Interestingly, an official portrait of the empress completed in the same year as David's "Coronation" painting (below), depicts Josephine as a middle-aged woman. Perhaps the purpose of David's painterly face-lift then, was not for the sake of vanity alone, but to perpetuate an image of youth and vitality associated with the new empire.

Did You Know?

Although Napoleon was married to another woman when he died in 1821, "Josephine" was said to be the last word he uttered.

The Sisters

In David's painting, Napoleon's three sisters by birth and two sisters by law stand behind the empress. His three blood sisters are, from left to right, Caroline, Pauline and Elisa. Next to Elisa is Hortense, the daughter of Empress Josephine and the wife of Napoleon's younger brother Louis. To the right of Hortense is Julie, the wife of Napoleon's older brother Joseph.

Napoleon's three sisters, much like the rest of his family, were not fond of his wife, Josephine. They were particularly jealous that on coronation day, Josephine would be crowned empress while they, Napoleon's blood relatives, would hold lesser titles.

The video below shows Napoleon discussing the coronation with his immediate family. In it, you'll see the closeness among, but also the jealousies between family members.

"Napoléon," TV Mini-Series, A&E Network (2002)

Fact

On coronation day, Napoleon ordered his sisters to walk behind Josephine, carrying her heavy train. The sisters were furious at the request and pouted over the indignity of it. But Napoleon insisted, forcing their obedience to the new empress. Several accounts claim that Napoleon's sisters tugged at Josephine's train as she climbed a set of stairs, nearly causing her to fall.

Fiction

In David's painting to the left, the sisters no longer hold the empress's train. Instead they stand next to their brothers and other members of the court while Josephine's ladies in waiting take the sisters' place behind the empress. Napoleon asked the artist to make this change, not for the dignity of his sisters, but to present an image of a regal imperial family to the rest of Europe.

Did You Know?

Hortense, the woman shown holding the hand of the young boy, was Empress Josephine's daughter by her first husband. She married Napoleon's younger brother Louis, making her both Napoleon's sister-in-law and step-daughter.

The Brothers

Napoleon had four brothers in total, though only two are depicted in "The Coronation" painting. The circle contains Napoleon's older brother Joseph on the left and younger brother Louis on the right. What follows is a brief description of the four brothers Bonaparte, from oldest to youngest.

Joseph Bonaparte: The only older brother, Joseph was greatly admired by Napoleon as a young man. Napoleon named Joseph King of Naples and King of Spain. during his reign. Because Napoleon didn't have children of his own at the time of his coronation, Joseph felt that he should be next in line to the throne. Instead, Napoleon and Josephine regarded their grandson, Napoleon Charles, as heir apparent. This caused a rumored feud between the brothers on coronation day.

Did You Know?

A King in New Jersey: After Napoleon's fall in 1815, Joseph Bonaparte took exile in the United States where he lived in Bordentown, New Jersey for 17 years.

"Bonaparte's Retreat," NJTV PBS Video

Lucien Bonaparte: Younger brother Lucien opposed Napoleon crowning himself emperor. Napoleon, in turn, opposed Lucien's marriage to the daughter of a poor shopkeeper and refused his brother an imperial title. Napoleon's disagreement with Lucien prevented Napoleon's mother and several other members of the imperial family from attending the coronation ceremony. During Napoleon's reign, Lucien lived in self-imposed exile in Rome.

Louis Bonaparte: Louis is the second younger brother to Napoleon. He married Josephine's daughter, Hortense de Beauharnais, in 1802. Louis was named King of Holland soon after the coronation. Louis was the father of France's other well known Napoleon, Napoleon III, who ruled France from 1848-1870.

Jérôme Bonaparte: The youngest of Napoleon's seven siblings, Jérôme was born just as Napoleon began his career in the French army. Prior to Napoleon's coronation, Jérôme married an American woman and remained in the United States on coronation day. In 1805, Jérôme and his pregnant wife traveled to Europe where Napoleon refused them entry, forcing Jérôme to annul the marriage in favor of a politically advantageous match.

The Brothers Bonaparte — From Left to Right: Joseph Bonaparte (Flaugier), Lucien Bonaparte (Fabre), Louis Bonaparte (Hodges) and Jérôme Bonaparte (Gros)

Fact

Due to the friction among brothers at the time of the coronation, only Louis, the brother on the right, is believed to have attended the ceremony. Louis's presence was as much to support his brother as it was to placate his wife, Hortense, whose mother was crowned Empress.

Fiction

In David's painting, older brother Joseph stands on the far left. Several sources report that Joseph did not attend the coronation due to disagreements over the heir apparent, as well as Napoleon's poor treatment of their younger brother Lucien.

In the video clip below, Internet personality Tom Scott suggests that in order to present a united image of the imperial family, both Napoleon's mother and brother Joseph were painted into history, despite neither having attended the coronation ceremony.

"The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon," Musée du Louvre

The Politician

Dressed in a red robe standing in the lower right of David's composition is Napoleon's Chief Diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, who was known simply by his last name, Talleyrand. The exceptionally crafty Talleyrand is recognized as one of history's greatest political operatives.

"The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence." — Talleyrand

Talleyrand was known as a "fair weather" diplomat who played his cards from both sides of the deck, endearing himself first to the monarchy of Louis XVI, then to the revolutionaries, then to Napoleon, before betraying Napoleon to work with Austria and Russia, ultimately falling back in line with French monarchy by way of the Bourbon restoration.

"Speech was given to man to disguise his thoughts."
— Talleyrand

Talleyrand was equal parts admired, distrusted and feared by the leaders he served. Below is a political cartoon depicting the duplicitous faces of the diplomat.

"The Man with Six Heads," Musée Carnavalet, Paris, France

Fact

In 1807, just months before the completion of "The Coronation" painting, Talleyrand not only resigned his position in Napoleon's ministry, he betrayed Napoleon by selling state secrets to Austria and Russia.

The clip below describes a portrait of Talleyrand sitting in his personal study just after he resigned from his imperial post. Tellingly, gone are any references to Emperor Napoleon, though reminders of Talleyrand's service to King Louis XVI remain.

MetCollects: Keith Christiansen on François Gérard's "Portrait of Talleyrand" The Met

Fiction

Although Talleyrand was Napoleon's closest political operative, Napoleon famously referred to him as "shit in a silk stalking." This may explain the artist's depiction of Talleyrand with an upturned nose and an almost sinister smile in the painting to the left. Talleyrand's reputation for shrewdness, and his ability to betray those he served, was painted into posterity.

Did You Know?

The term "talleyrand" takes its name from this French diplomat and refers to a crafty, cynical statesman.

The Pope

A coronation is a religious ceremony designed to legitimize the anointed. Although Napoleon was not a religious man himself, he summoned Pope Pius VII from Rome in an effort to bring validity to the crown and restore order to France following the Revolution.

Traditionally, the position of the papal state was seen as superior to the crown. Therefore, if a monarch or emperor wished to be anointed, he traveled to the Vatican to do so. In this case, however, Napoleon beckoned the pope to make the long journey to Paris. The pope reluctantly obliged to remain in good standing with an emperor who had recently conquered Italy.

Although the pope and the emperor shared a tempestuous relationship, it's said that the pope considered Napoleon to be a stubborn son of sorts. The video below imagines a conversation between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII just before the emperor's coronation.

"Napoléon," TV Mini-Series, A&E Network (2002)

Did You Know?

Four years after the coronation, Napoleon's army invaded the papal state, capturing the pope and holding him captive for more than six years. Despite this treason, Pope Pius VII wrote letters to Great Britain urging leniency towards Napoleon and his family following the emperor's final defeat at Waterloo.

Fact

Pope Pius VII assumed he was making the journey to Paris in order to crown the emperor. Instead, Napoleon famously took the crown and placed it atop his own head to show that his rise to power was self-made, and that France would be subservient to no one, including the church. This gesture, however, was seen as a great slight to the pope, which may be reason for his downcast gaze in David's painting to the left.

Fiction

Originally, David depicted the pope with his hands resting in his lap, as was the case on coronation day. When Napoleon saw the painting, he protested, saying, "I didn't have him come all that way to do nothing." Napoleon asked David to paint the pope blessing the newly crowned empress instead.

Pope Sketch — Jacques-Louis David, "Nude Study of Pope Pius VII," Harvard Art Museums

Did You Know?

In neoclassical art, it is customary to sketch a figure nude before adding clothing. David made several nude studies of prominent figures from "The Coronation" painting including both the pope and the emperor.

The Roman

When David changed the moment of the painting from Napoleon crowning himself to crowning his wife, Josephine, space opened on the canvas to add one more person. Filling this void, standing just off the shoulder of Napoleon, is a priest who stares intently at the crown in the emperor's hands.

Sketch of Napoleon over Caesar — Sketch overlay showing that the priest was painted in only after the moment of the painting changed from Napoleon crowning himself to crowning Empress Josephine

Fact

Upon closer inspection, we see that this priest bears a striking resemblance to Julius Caesar, the famed general turned emperor who ruled Rome in 45 BC before his assassination by political rivals. Napoleon greatly admired Caesar and often drew comparison to him. An exploration of David's sketchbooks shows that the artist made multiple sketches of the Roman emperor while he painted "The Coronation."

Looking at the below statue, you'll notice a great similarity between the face of David's priest and that of Coustou's "Julius Caesar."

Statue of Julius Caesar — "Julius Caesar," Nicolas Coustou Musée du Louvre

Did You Know?

The eagle was an important symbol of imperial rule during ancient Rome. Napoleon adopted the imperial eagle visible on the scepter at left as the symbol for his own empire.

Fiction

By way of propaganda, the artist drew parallels between the newly formed French empire and the Roman empire. By doing so, David ties Napoleon Bonaparte to Julius Caesar, one of the most admired figures from the antiquities.

As seen in the clip below, there were many similarities between the careers of Caesar and Napoleon. Both were great generals who conquered vast swaths of Europe. Both gained power through a coup before declaring themselves emperors. Both brought stability to their territories following periods of tumult. And both made important social contributions, despite having ruled for relatively brief periods.

"The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon," Musée du Louvre

Interestingly, the artist's depiction of Caesar on the left stands a full head shorter than Napoleon. While this may have been a trick to focus the viewer's eyes on the French emperor, it was also a likely power play to depict Napoleon, who was frequently parodied for his short stature, as more grand than the great Julius Caesar.

Did You Know?

The term "Napoleon complex" is often used to refer to a small person with a big personality. While British propaganda frequently parodied Napoleon's short stature, the emperor stood 5'5", which was average height for a Frenchman of the time.

Is Jacques-Louis David's "Coronation" Fake News?

At first glance, The Coronation painting seems to be a straight-forward portrayal of a historical event, but appearances can be deceiving.

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The Painting

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The Place

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The Artist

Fact

Fiction

Did You Know?

The Emperor

"To attach no importance to public opinion is proof you do not merit its suffrage." — Napoleon

Fact

Fiction

Did You Know?

Madame Mère

"She faced everything – the privations and the fatigue. She endured everything... My mother is worthy of every sort of admiration." — Napoleon Bonaparte

Fact

Fiction

Did You Know?

The Empress

Fact

Fiction

Did You Know?

The Sisters

Fact

Fiction

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The Brothers

Did You Know?

Fact

Fiction

The Politician

"The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence." — Talleyrand

"Speech was given to man to disguise his thoughts." — Talleyrand

Fact

Fiction

Did You Know?

The Pope

Did You Know?

Fact

Fiction

Did You Know?

The Roman

Fact

Did You Know?

Fiction

Did You Know?

"Speech was given to man to disguise his thoughts."
— Talleyrand