Behold Napoleon Crossing the Alps. On the left, a not so well known version painted by Paul Delroche. On the right, a momentously well known version by Jacques-Louis David.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?!
well, I'll tell you. It is my understanding that Napoleon, whilst crossing the Alps in 1800 (with the intent to invade Genoa Italy and reclaim the territory for France), rode on a mule, in nice weather, wrapped in some raggy blankets. The point of all this, of course, is that the painting itsself is a powerful and effective piece of propaganda. Napoleon didnt even sit for the portrait. He said something like "pish posh! Mars, the god of war, never sat for a portrait! And yet artists do not hesitate to paint his great image! It is the character that counts! Not the likenss!" So, David had his handsome 14 year old son pose for the painting, and Napoleon appears a youthful, spry, impassioned young male.
Artists are the unacknowledged legislators of the world, you know.
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