  "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" is a famous painting that was painted by Jacques-Lewis David in a tribute to the ever clever Napoleon. However, it should be seen as a symbol that greatness can come from the darkest and lowest point in life; that there is always hope, not a tribute to Napoleon. Jacques-Lewis David's use of realism is one of the most powerful parts of this painting. It's as if everything in this detailed painting comes to life. When the casual observer looks upon this painting, they automatically believe that this happened. The use of color is another essential factor in the painting, because the colors coveys a sense of emotion and sets the mood of the painting. The use of shadowing is used to explore the painting and to draw emphasis to the center, where the horse and Napoleon are residing. The painter, Jacques-Lewis David; uses shadow, realism, and color to show that hope is always alive.   

 The realism in the painting is truly remarkable, in showing how there is always hope; even in the darkest of times. The first part of the painting that draws you in, is the realistic nature of Napoleon's cape billowing in the wind. The cape is being blown forward, almost as if pointing up towards the mountain. This symbolizes the problems of society that humanity struggles with every day. Another example identical to the cape, is that of the horse's mane also pointing and blowing upwards towards the mountain.  It's as if the horse is beckoning us to the top as if to say, "follow me, I will take you out of this darkness; there is still hope." The wind is a compelling force that gives a great deal of power to this piece of art, because even the weather is with him. The horse's wide eyes and frothing mouth also symbolizes hope in the darkest of time, because even though the horse is struggling; the rider of the horse is stoic, even amidst what seems to be such chaos ahead. The rider continues to be unwavering in his quest to reach the top of the mountain, to end the people's suffering. He even points a finger onwards, much like the cape and mane. The official look of the uniform with the gold inlaid designs on the cufflinks, gives the look of a hard and unyielding figure, sent from the heavens to lead the charge as if the man on the horse is hope incarnated.  

 The color usage in the painting is deliberate, in a way that evokes a sense of pride and hope. This allows for the emotions played out in the realism portion of the painting to come to fruition. The dominant colors used in the painting are red, white, blue, and gold for the man; the white and dark used for the horse, and the shades of gray for the sky. The colors of the man on the horse are used in a sense to show that he is the embodiment of the entire nation. The red, white, and blue appeal to the sense of nationalism or pride for country, so that when observers gaze at the painting; they are struck with a sense of awe at the regality of Napoleon sitting fearlessly on top of his horse ready to ride into the coming storm. The gold is to give him a sense of authority. It is used delicately throughout the painting, embroidered into the cufflinks and the horse's bridle. The boldness of the monochrome gold pants imparts a real knowledge that this man has godlike qualities. Next, we have a horse predominately white mottled with black spots to show that the horse is still noble and pure, which is the symbol for white. At the same time the darkness has begun to corrupt even the most noble of creatures; this is shown by the darkness fading into the horse's legs. This gives the audience all the more reason to look towards the man on the horse with a sort of reverence, because he is untainted, undaunted, and fearless in the darkness that grasp at humanity. 

The shadows are very subtle in this painting; they are merely a gentle guiding force that reinforces the belief that hope is here as a light against the dark. When one glances at the picture in the sky; it shows a dark stormy day that has troops in the background toiling, and pushing guns up the mountain. It's almost as if they have been fighting for the people, because shadows in the usual sense are used to show the contrast between two things. Then the darkness fades to a point where Napoleon is sitting astride his horse; where it seems a beam of light has penetrated the darkness and will lead the charge to a better day.  

 This is and was a very powerful painting for all people in France, which showed them a leader who took them from the turmoil that had embodied the French for so long and led them to a better day. Today though, the painting shows how hope is always there even in the toughest of times. There should always be hope, because without hope; there is nothing. In conclusion, Jacques-Lewis David uses color, realism, and shadows to show that even in the darkest times hope will always be there; guiding the way to a better life. 
