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The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries
Jacques-Louis David·1812
Historical Context
The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries (1812) is David's famous state portrait showing Napoleon working late into the night on the Code Napoléon. The burned-down candles and the clock showing 4:13 AM suggest the emperor's tireless dedication to governance. Created as propaganda, the portrait became an iconic image of Napoleon and was reproduced numerous times. It represents David's mature ability to invest portraiture with political meaning.
Technical Analysis
David's meticulous technique renders every detail of Napoleon's uniform, furnishings, and surroundings with documentary precision. The figure is modeled with firm, clear drawing and cool, measured tones that convey authority. The composition is carefully arranged to emphasize Napoleon's commanding presence, with the desk, papers, and sword reinforcing the narrative of a working ruler.
Provenance
Commissioned by Alexander, marquis of Douglas [1767-1852, from 1819, 10th duke of Hamilton], Hamilton Palace, Strathclyde, Scotland;[1] by inheritance to his son, William Alexander Anthony Archibald Douglas, 11th duke of Hamilton [1811-1863], Hamilton Palace, Strathclyde, Scotland; by inheritance to his son, William Alexander Louis Stephen Douglas-Hamilton, 12th duke of Hamilton [1845-1895], Hamilton Palace, Strathclyde, Scotland; (Hamilton Palace Collection sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 17 June - 20 July 1882 (8 July), no. 1108); bought by (F. Davis), probably buying for Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th earl of Rosebery, [1847-1929], London;[2] his son, Albert Edward Harry Mayer Archibald Primrose, 6th earl of Rosebery [1882-1974], London; sold 15 June 1951 to (Wildenstein & Co., London and New York); sold February 1954 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[3] gift 1961 to NGA. [1] Two of the three lists that David made of his works mention the NGA painting: "List B," compiled about 1815, describes it as "Le portrait en pied de l'Empereur représenté dans son Cabinet. Tableau pour l'Angleterre" (Schnapper, Antoine, et al., _Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825_, exh. cat., Louvre and Versailles, Paris, 1989: 20); "List C," dated 1819, refers to the original painting under no. "49. _Napoléon_ en pied dans son cabinet.--Pour le marquis Douglas en Angleterre" and to David's copy of it under no. "50. Une répétition du même avec des changements dans l'habillement.--Pour M. Huibans" (Wildenstein, Daniel, and Guy Wildenstein, _Documents complémentaires au catalogue de l'oeuvre de Louis David_, Paris, 1973: no. 1938; Schnapper et al. 1989: 21). [2] According to a 31 January 1977 letter from Sotheby Parke Bernet to David E. Rust, in NGA curatorial files, F. Davis was a London dealer who almost always purchased for the earl of Rosebery. [3] The bill of sale (copy in NGA curatorial files) is dated February 10, 1954, and was for fourteen paintings, including _Napoleon in his study_; payments by the Foundation continued to March 1957. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/objects/2148.
