What you are looking at
Napoleon, in a billowing gold cloak, sits calmly on a rearing horse on a mountain pass, pointing upward. His name is carved into the rocks below, next to those of Hannibal and Charlemagne.
Why it is famous
It shows Napoleon's crossing of the Great St Bernard Pass in May 1800, but it is propaganda rather than reporting: he actually crossed on a mule. David made five versions between 1801 and 1805. The first, commissioned by King Charles IV of Spain, is at the Château de Malmaison; others are in Berlin, Vienna and Versailles.
How big is Napoleon Crossing the Alps?
Napoleon Crossing the Alps measures 260 × 221 cm (102.4 × 87.0 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 14 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
The first version is at the Château de Malmaison, Josephine and Napoleon's house west of Paris. The palaces of Versailles and Charlottenburg in Berlin and the Belvedere in Vienna show other versions.
Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work.
More by Jacques-Louis David
All Jacques-Louis David paintings
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Napoleon Crossing the Alps?
Jacques-Louis David painted Napoleon Crossing the Alps in 1801.
Where is the Napoleon Crossing the Alps?
Napoleon Crossing the Alps is in the Château de Malmaison, Rueil-Malmaison (near Paris), France.
How big is Napoleon Crossing the Alps?
260 × 221 cm (102.4 × 87.0 in). Its surface is about 14 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is Napoleon Crossing the Alps made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q59201; Wikipedia, "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.