I had the pleasure of the seeing a most dynamic version of this painted subject by David up close and personal at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna many years ago. It's beauty and power have remained with me ever since. I purchased a modest-sized print and had it framed. It now hangs in my bedroom. No Freudian-related comments, please.

Oil on canvas by Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse with Jacques-Louis David - c. 1807

This most famous depiction of Napoléon’s military career, Bonaparte Crossing the Alps captures the energy and excitement of his Italian campaigns and rise to power. Like Hannibal and Charlemagne, whose names appear at the painting’s bottom, Bonaparte courageously took his forces over the Alps in order to surprise his enemy. The strategy ultimately secured him victory at the Battle of Marengo. This painting also demonstrates David’s talent as a propagandist for Napoléon, who actually crossed the mountains on a mule.

Notes: This particular version was commissioned by King Charles IV via his French ambassador, Musquiz, for which he paid 24,000 Francs. Joseph Bonaparte appropriated the painting for himself in Madrid and took it with him to the USA. It was only to reappear in 1949-50 when it was bequeathed to Malmaison (near Paris) by Eugénie Bonaparte, princesse de la Moskowa, great-grand-daughter of Joseph. This version presents a dappled horse and a yellow cloak with the inscriptions, 'L. David-L'an IX' on the horse's bridle and '(HA)NNIBAL/KAROLUS MAGNUS/BONAPARTE' on the rocks in the foreground.

Four variant examples exist: an autograph destined for Bonaparte, at present in Charlottenburg (Berlin) (bay-brown horse, red cloak, signed and dated An IX); another (for the most part executed by the workshop) which was in the library of the Hôtel des Invalides and at present in the Château de Versailles (near Paris) (white horse, brown legs, red cloak, no date or signature); yet another sent to the Palazzo della Repubblica in Milan, today in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna (white horse, brown legs, red cloak, signed and dated An X); and a final (very repainted version) taken by David to Brussels and at present in the stores of the château de Versailles (dappled horse, yellow cloak, signed).

There are many copies in France, one of which is in the Minister of Defence's residence and another of which is at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Troyes, not to mention copies held abroad and the numerous reproductions in tapestry, porcelain or engraving.

Take the link in post previous to this one to view other paintings by Jacques-Louis David.