Empire Collections

Bonaparte au St Bernard

Reference : STBERNARD

Napoleon crossing the Alps at the St. Bernard Pass (53 x 45cm)

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The First Consul crossing the Alps

at the "Grand-Saint-Bernard" pass


If you visit the museum of the Malmaison castle, you stand speechless before this master-work of the painter Louis David, painted 1801 one year after the event.

Art lover or passionate by History, you will be impressed by the huge size of the picture (272 x 232 cm), its sublimity and sumptuousness. The magnificence of the uniform worn by the General Bonaparte and the heroic aspect of the scene radiate a tangible feeling of prestige and glory. Bonaparte is Emperor ahead on time…

1800 May 15th the advance guard of the army commanded by the General Lannes crossed the pass. The cannons, placed on hollow stems, were drawn each by 20 Grenadiers.

On May 20th Bonaparte crossed the pass in his turn riding a mule, more able to walk along the precipices as the beautifull white horse imagined by the painter. Bonaparte received accomodation by the monks of the Hospice, who recommended him a peasant to guide the army through the mountain. On June 2nd Bonaparte entered Milano victorius.

Les Etains du Prince present this master-piece in delicately chiseled pewter : it represents the first step of the Campain of Italy.