The Coronation of Napoleon (1805–1807)
The Coronation of Napoleon (1805–1807) is a painting by the famous French painter, Jacques-Louis David. The painting depicts the coronation of Napoleon I at Notre-Dame de Paris. Napoleon himself commissioned the work in 1804. The painting is imposing and, therefore, conspicuous at the Louvre. Like most works of art, it has an intended message that the painter aimed to pass to the audience. An artist’s platform is a powerful communication tool. Formal elements enable artists to produce paintings that pass the intended message. This essay examines various formal elements used in the Coronation of Napoleon and how these elements have helped the painter to achieve his objectives. It further explores how the elements are used to provide more information about this specific painting.
The Types of Colors Used in the Painting
The types of colors used in the painting show the regal nature of the occasion. David mostly uses the primary colors of red and yellow. He also extensively uses the secondary color of green. The values of the colors also vary in the painting. The application of color in the painting is an indication that it is a neoclassical painting. Paintings during this period are characterized by sharper colors. Neoclassical era paintings also experimented with chiaroscuro, a painting technique that played with the vivid contrast that exists between dark and light colors (Bietoletti 37). David has applied this style in his painting by playing with darker and brighter shades of red, yellow, and green. It creates a sense of drama in the painting which in turn provides more insights into the intrigues surrounding the coronation of Emperor Napoleon. The use of color creates that sense that those taking part in the occasion belong to high social classes in the society.
The Use of Clean Lines in the Painting
The use of clean lines in the painting also indicates that it belongs to the neoclassical era (Gamble 19). The painting is characterized by clean lines. The composition of the painting is organized around many axes running across the canvas. An axis can be seen passing through the cross. On close observation, a diagonal line can be seen running from the empress to the pope. The use of clean lines helps to create idealized forms in the painting. David uses this approach to capture the era in which the painting is developed and the occasion. The coronation of the emperor was a grand occasion and the use of clean lines helps to capture this essence.
The Use of Light in the Painting
The artist also uses the formal element of light to achieve various objectives in the painting. Natural light is used at the center of the painting to focus on the main activity of the occasion (Gimblett 22). The emperor can be seen holding a crown while the empress kneels in anticipation. The pope is also conspicuous in the foreground because of the lighting. The people in the background, on the other hand, are removed from the light and do not seem to be an important part of the main event. The use of natural light also creates the impression that the building in which the subjects are present in is a huge structure because the light seems to be coming from above. Natural lighting has, therefore, been effectively used by the painter to draw the attention of the audience to key activities in the painting and to provide insights into the nature of the event that is taking place in the painting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of formal elements has enabled the painter to use his platform to pass specific messages to the audience. David has used the formal elements of light, line, and color to control the narrative. However, the audience still has the opportunity to view the painting from different perspectives.
Reason for Selecting the Painting
I selected the Coronation of Napoleon as the painting to analyze because I think that David was one of the most revolutionary painters of the 18th and 19th centuries. The period was also marked by many great painters and, therefore, choosing a painting from the neoclassical era would allow me to study how formal elements were used to create great paintings. I was also interested in the painting because of the main subject. Emperor Napoleon I is a key historical figure that made important conquests as he fought his way to the throne. His coronation, therefore, has significant historical value. The painting also evoked memories of how the church and the crown were interdependent. The presence of the pope during the coronation shows that despite the bloody nature of Napoleon's journey, the pope was still willing to preside over the event because the church understood the interdependence that existed between it and the crown. I have always been interested in understanding the events that shaped modern history. The crowning of Napoleon is definitely a significant event that warrants close analysis. Another important reason for choosing the painting is its sheer size. It is a fairly large painting and, therefore, easily noticeable. It easily captures the attention of audiences at the Louvre.
Works Cited
Bietoletti, Silvestra. Neoclassicism and romanticism. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2009.
Gamble, D. R. "" Maîtres antiques": the Bucoliques of André Chénier and the Neoclassical Mode." Dalhousie French Studies 83 (2008): 17-23.
Gimblett, Jennifer Leigh. "Painting and Propaganda: Napoleon and His Artists." (2011).
