Jacques-Louis David painted ‘Le Sacre de Napoléon’ (The Coronation of Napoleon) 1805-07 (exhibited in 1808), oil on canvas, size 20 feet 4 inches × 32 feet 1 inch, which was commissioned by Napoleon I. The huge canvas depicts the splendour of the King’s coronation as well as conveys a political and symbolic message. After winning military campaigns in Italy and Egypt, Napoleon was proclaimed Emperor and a coronation ceremony was held at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to secure his imperial legitimacy. David attended the ceremony and later in his studio he captured the vivid gathering with realism, merging accuracy with artistry and at the same time abiding by the Emperor’s directives. In the end the artist came up with the impressive work that glorifies the event and occupies a distinctive place in the art history. Presently it is displayed at the Louvre, Paris.— M.I

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, August 16th, 2015

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