S1 - Matu 3 - Switzerland and Napoleon

Lesson 4 -   Napoleon and art

In this short lesson, we're once again going to focus on the utility of art as a window onto the past. What can visual art do to help us make sense of the past? 

1. Look at slides 2 and 3. What can these paintings tell us about how battles were fought at the time of Napoleon? Which of the paintings is more useful as evidence about the nature of warfare at the time of Napoleon? Explain your answer carefully. 
2. Compare and contrast the paintings of Napoleon crossing the Alps.  How does David's differ from Delaroche? `Delaroche's painting is a secondary source produced by an artist who did not know Napoleon, it is therefore less useful`. Do you agree?  In what sense might Delaroche be considered the more useful source? 
3. Study David's painting of Napoleon's coronation. How useful is this source as evidence about the coronation of Napoleon?

On the value and limitations of visual art, see my website. See also Khan Academy

---

Extension 

Google Arts and Culture has an extensive range of paintings by David. You can see two versions of 'the Great St. Bernard', one in Vienna (which allows a street view) and one in Versailles. There are also many other paintings by David that feature Napoleon.  Delaroche's painting of a defeated Napoleon at Fontainebleau is also available at the Army Museum in Paris.