  Napoleon Crossing the Alps is a famous painting that was imagined by Jacques-Lewis David in a tribute to the ever-clever Napoleon Bonaparte. In this masterpiece created between the years 1801 to 1805 directly following the French revolution that occurred in France, Napoleon, is shown leading his army across the alps into Italy where the Austrian's had taken land from the French there having just come to power Napoleon was determined to win back what was rightfully France's. After Napoleon completed this endeavor and returned home to become the First Consul where the King of Spain had 5 versions of this same painting conjured up as a gift to Napoleon.  However, it should be seen as a symbol that even after something horrible there is always something for a person to take pride in, not just a tribute to Napoleon. The painter, Jacques-Lewis David; uses setting, realism, and color to show that people should always take pride in their country.   

 The realism in the painting is truly remarkable, in showing how there is always pride; even in the darkest of times because the French people had just been through the worst and bloodiest revolutions known to man yet this one man leading an army through the mountains for the country he believes in. The first part of the painting that draws the eye 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 in a very unrealistic nature for in order for this to happening the wind would have to be blowing at a very high pace. This gives Napoleon a feel as if he is not human which is the objective of the painting to show that this man leading an army to victory is not human, but someone to be admired and to take pride in. Another example of realism that points to the pride that this image provokes, is that of the horse wide eyed with a frothing mouth a crazed noble animal not meant for the common man, yet Napoleon sits on this apparently struggling untamed animal with a determined, calm, and unworried expression on his face leaving no doubt that he is leading the way to victory. The most inspiring piece of realism is not the cape or facial expressions of the horse or Napoleon instead it is the troops shown in the background of the painting working hard to push the cannons and supplies across these great mountains. This realistic aspect of the journey putting the troops in the painting of such a noble calm Napoleon is used to maximum effect on the common people of the country who at the time had just come out of one of the darkest times in the history of France where millions died because the commoners were mistreated so badly, and being put in a nationally known masterpiece with the leader of the country would speak in volumes for the pride of the common people. For this is what they fought for recognition in the government, and to be recognized even in the background with this great, incredible leader would be the true pride taken due to all the lives lost and taken for the sole reason to be recognized would evoke immense pride for many years to come.

 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 lead the country to battle with the troops at his back. 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 because the color gold throughout the ages has always been the highest standard of anything for example winning a race, the Olympics, gold watches, and gold coins all the highest honor for their respective categories.  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, but at the same time has been down a tough dirty road which is what the dark spots on the legs are. Relating directly to the trials that the country has gone through with the revolution to finally give back the power to the people saying just because there is a little dirt on from the road travelled it is still a noble pure country. 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. By using these colors, he represents the country through the horse and nationalism and nobility through Napoleon's clothes to help show that pride should be taken even after what has happened. 

  The setting of this painting is one of the most important parts in bringing out the emotion of pride to a grieving sad country. When looking at this image the first thing the eye goes to napoleon on the horse then the troops toiling in the background, but the image does not work without the harsh reality of the mountain shown in the background. The mountain itself is drawn as a barren unforgiving landscape filled with barely any life just lots and lots of rock with only light breaking through the gray storm clouds at one point. This landscape incorporated in the painting really makes the image as a whole because it would not be the same if Napoleon and the troops were walking up a grassy hill where the sunshine was abundant and anyone could make it up. Yet, it is a harsh unforgiving mountain that most people would shy away from even so Napoleon and the troops made it through this treacherous terrain where they had a great victory over the Austrian troops. So, without the land being so hard, gloomy, and dangerous there would be no pride at crossing which is why it ties the painting together to bring out pride even in dangerous rough situations. 

 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.  When the casual observer looks upon this painting, the use of color is an essential factor in the painting, because the colors coveys a sense of emotion and sets the mood of the painting that allows the viewer to draw a sense of pride from the image. The use of setting and realism help to convey to the viewer that this was very real and where a great leader took his people through the unforgiving mountains to change the fate of the country. The painting shows how there is pride in all things and that even after going through some horrible things like the country of France did people should always be prideful.

