Napoleonic paintings - Essay Example

Napoleonic paintings Overview Compared to other periods where art mostly served as a tool to show case one’s expertise and aesthetic value, Napoleonic paintings included other personal purposes attached to the authority he had. During his era, he mostly utilized official propangada with the intention of controlling his sujects as well as the entire public’s perceptions. This was both in France and entire European region such that he could adequately instill in the hearts of those he led the might as well as validity of his empire. Hecne, resulting to propanganda and symbolism that characterized numerous artworks done by his artists like the one below while crossing St. Bernard Pass. Another symblism in depicting Napoleon’s might was the “Napoleon as Mars the peacemaker” that acted as a confusion and concealing the true identity of this celebrated leader (p. 234). Hence, changing his role from being a “god of war” to a person who had a soft side and believed in negotiations to making peace (p. 234). All these aspects by Napoleon was an attenpt to ensure public values, citizenship/patriotism, sacrifice as well as promoting his attainments as unequaled emperor. Unequaled emperor in this comprised of characteristics of romantic hero and a man who signified an extra ordinary prowess almost in all aspects. Figure 1: Napoleon Crossing the St Bernard Pass (1800) Genre The genre of this picture is history painting for it contains human figure besides representing the nature in its correct form. Moreover, the painting has a subject matter that is more significant to the viewer for instance; it reflects the history of the Napoleonic war era. Format Upright rectangular landscape elongated to feature other images of warring soldiers seen in the background. Besides the landscape is bear and has a climbing. The image is in dynamic energy, which is evident from the posture of the picture. Compositional elements Exaggerated moonlight achieved by the use of bright colours is evident intelligent use of brushwork to reveal the strong physiques of the horse, its rider, and propaganda words written on the ground. How the viewer ‘reads’ the picture Through the little, natural, soft and direct light besides lack of shadow, the viewer is able to guess the time of the day. The viewer recognizes different obstacles or objects in the picture using varied colours ranging from bright to dark. Symbolism and material detail of the image The picture symbolises the Napoleon war era in whereby Jacques-Louis David uses the horse to cross to the war zone. The painting was done by Jacques-Louis David showing Bonaparte crossing the Alps waters in between 1800 and 1801 besides, which is an oil canvas done on a sheet measuring 260 by 221cm. Genre The picture depicts a portrait painting in that the artist made the whole image to be the main or specific point of concern. It shows the full body of Bonaparte resulting to being a portrait painting. Format The artist uses an upright rectangular background that is enough to accommodate some objects. The image stands upright as well and in a relaxed mode for there is no movement noted. Compositional elements The light is much concentrated on the central part of the picture where Antoine-Jean Gros is placing his hand. The artist uses light contrast at the bottom part of the image that is dull bright colours for the man to reveal his muscular physique. How the viewer ‘reads’ the picture The viewer reads the picture by observing the main object that covers most part of the space. The light seems to be little and soft from an artificial source besides which it highlights the central part of the photograph. The artist uses varied colours in the attire as well as shoes to show the political status of Antoine-Jean Gros in his community. Symbolism and material detail of the image This picture symbolises the royalty as well as superiority feeling of the Antoine-Jean Gros, Bonaparte as First Consul. The artwork presentation is an oil painting done on a piece of paper with dimensions of 205 by 127 Cm. Genre This picture is in portrait art category of genre because the main or dominant focus of attention is the face of the Napoleon in his Imperial Robes. Format The image has upright and rectangular scenery a little bit stretched out at the back in order to show other valuable objects at the background. Compositional elements Light is both from the back and the central region where the watcher views the image. The purpose of this image is to direct the viewer’s eyes to the central image. How the viewer ‘reads’ the picture The light is well distributed at the background and from the front of the image making the shadow to be formed or to appear at the backside. The light is from an artificial source hence the viewer cannot be able to guess the time of the day. As well, there seems to be staircases shown by the use of straight lines indicating that Napoleon is standing on a high or raised floor. Symbolism and material detail of the image This symbolises the proudness of the Napoleon in his Robes. This is a painting of Napoleon in his Robes done by Francois Gerard in 1805 using oil painting on a painting sheet measuring 227 by 145 cm. Genre This picture is of genre painting for it portrays ordinary people in their own activities. The picture shows a normal and daily way of life evident from the behaviour as well as the relaxed interaction mode of the images. Format The picture has horizontal rectangular scenery made long enough to show numerous people besides buildings in the background. Compositional elements Light is mostly used to highlight the key areas in the picture for instance on the side of the image where there are many people as well as on the opposite side where Bonaparte stands. There is good brushwork use in describing the subject matter of the image. How the viewer ‘reads’ the picture The light forms some shadows that it does not allow the viewer to guess the time of the day. The light is direct, soft and from an artificial source. The colours used depict half-naked people, which could be because of the plaque that had stricken them. Symbolism and material detail of the image The picture signifies unhappiness of the featured people evident from their different relaxing modes. This is an oil canvas by Antoine-Jean Gros featuring Bonaparte while visiting the plague stricken people of Jaffa in 1804 done on 32.1 by 720 cm sheet. Read More