Art in the Age of Napoleon

1799. The French Revolution had already ended. Napoleon Bonaparte seized control of the French government, proclaimed himself emperor, and aspired to rule an empire to rival that of ancient Rome. His sweeping political changes and stunning military campaigns captivated the public imagination and gave rise to his mythic stature. In creating a lasting image of himself, Napoleon favored the artistic style of the classical past and depended on Jacques-Louis David to create flattering images rendering him the romantic hero of the age. Other artists, like Théodore Gericault, created dramatic moments that elicited responses capturing the passion of romanticism. This class will take a close look at how the fervor of the Bonaparte era, with its artistic trends shifting from classicism to romanticism, influenced not only painting, but architecture and fashion as well.