Question 10 (Essay Worth 6 points) (HC) An image of two paintings of Napoleon crossing the Alps. The first painting by Jacques-Louis David (left) shows Napoleon riding on a beautiful white horse with a long flowing mane and tail. Napoleon is dressed in a flowing golden robe which billows around him. Underneath he wears a formal uniform. The horse is rearing, forming a diagonal shape across the center of the painting. Napoleon is looking at the viewer, and pointing over the horse's head toward the mountain's peak. The horse and its rider take up the main center and majority of the painting. Behind the horse and rider, you see bits of soldiers walking up the mountain. The painting's backdrop is a wide view of the mountain range with the sky, cloudy with some sunny patches. The rocks of the mountain are white and brightly reflecting the sky's light. The second painting is by Paul Delaroche (right) and also features Napoleon crossing the Alps. Napoleon is riding a dark brown horse, whose head is down. The horse's long ears suggest it may be a mule. Napoleon is dressed in a drab brown coat. One hand is clutching the reins and the other is tucked into his coat as if for warmth. Napoleon is looking at the viewer, with a steadfast, but not excited gaze. The horse and rider move diagonally across the painting up a snow-covered, uneven path. The horse is being led by a guide. Behind Napoleon is another rider on horseback, also being led by a guide. Behind the riders, a mountain looms up, blocking the sky. The setting includes some large boulders in front of and behind the riders. All is covered with snow.

In 1800, Napoleon led his reserve army across the Alps into Italy to fight Austrian forces that had laid siege to Genoa. Although Genoa had fallen by the time Napoleon had reached it, the crossing led to a series of important military victories for Napoleon.

Review the placement of the horses in the two paintings of Napoleon crossing the Alps. What details of this aspect of these portraits help explain the painters' attitudes toward Napoleon?

The picture on the left. The one by the artist, David. The horse is on it's hind legs on what implies the top of a hill or cliff. This could mean that the attitude of this man and his horse is of high value. This is the pair that believes that Genoa had to fall in order for them to go on a triumph of wins or success. On the other hand, the horse and the man on the right side, by the artist, Delaroche, implies that the falling of Genoa had more of a hardship impression. The shadowing and the droopy head of the horse is an implication of low spirits. They were upset about the hall of Genoa.