Activity 1

Like rulers before and after him, Napoleon understood the value of projecting certain images of himself. Consequently, he supported artists who represented him to the world in ways he approved. One of the most famous of Napoleon's artists was the great Neoclassicist, Jacques-Louis David. Take a look at David's Napoleon in His Study and Napoleon Crossing the Alps. What sort of man do these works portray? What do they suggest about how David viewed Napoleon? What do they suggest about how Napoleon wished to be seen? Another member of Napoleon's stable of artists was Antoine-Jean Gros, who portrayed the general at several important moments in his military career. Examine, for example, Napoleon on Arcole Bridge, Napoleon on the Battlefield at Eylau, and Napoleon Visiting the Plague-Stricken. How do these portraits resemble and differ from those painted by David? How did Gros envision Napoleon as a military leader? A third great artist of the Napoleonic Age was ThÉodore Gericault. Although Gericault did not portray the emperor himself, he did paint some memorable pictures of Napoleon's soldiers. For example, take a look at Officer of the Imperial Guard, Trumpeters of the Imperial Guard, and Wounded Cuirassier. How does the artist represent the soldiers? What do these representations suggest about Gericault's attitude toward Napoleon's army? Do you think Napoleon would have approved or disapproved of these paintings?

Activity 2

In 1804, the year he crowned humself emperor, Napoleon released an account of the internal situation of France. Take a few moments to read this account