Napoleon Crossing the Alps.

After a work byAfter a work by Jacques Louis David French, 1748 - 1825

PrinterPrinted by E.B. & E.C. Kellogg American, 1840 - 1867

PublisherPublished by E.B. & E.C. Kellogg American, 1840 - 1867

PublisherPublished by Kelloggs & Thayer American, 1846 - 1847

PublisherPublished by D. Needham American, 1808 - 1888

Date1845-1846

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 9 15/16 x 7 7/8in. (25.2 x 20cm)
Sheet (height x width): 14 1/4 x 10 3/16in. (36.2 x 25.9cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Samuel St. John Morgan

DescriptionA man sits astride a rearing horse on a rock ledge with mountains in the background. He wears a cocked hat, a coat trimmed with braid, breeches, boots with spurs, gloves, and a sash. Two medals are pinned to his breast. His cloak blows in the wind behind him. The horse has an ornate saddle blanket and bridle. The man points towards the left with his right hand. Behind him, in the background, a marching column of soldiers ascends a steep trail over a mountain pass. A cannon on a caisson and a man on horseback are visible at the far left. This composition is surrounded by a oval frame. In the corners, four separate vignettes depict the same man in various poses, from upper left to right: seated on a rock looking at a large book, possibly an atlas; seated backwards in a chair; standing on a rock with his hand tucked inside his vest; standing on a rock, seen from behind.

Object number1950.202.134

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "NAPOLEON CROSSING THE ALPS."

On verso, upper left, in red ink, "966". In pencil, lower left, "Print / Box 8 / #26"; lower right, "Dwr 55" and accession number.NotesSource Note: The visual source for the cental composition is Jacques Louis David's (1748-1825) painting of Napoleon Crossing the Alps (1800), now in the Louvre. There are, however, significant differences in the details of the composition and its orientation. (Finlay 3/29/2004)

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