Equestrian portrait of Joachim Murat

Antoine-Jean Gros's Equestrian portrait of Joachim Murat of 1812 depicts Napoleon's brother-in-law in the theatrical splendor of the King of Naples — Hussar uniform overlaid with medals, decorations, and furs that exemplified Murat's famous sartorial excess. The equestrian portrait format placed him in the tradition of Velázquez and Van Dyck's royal equestrian monuments, appropriate for a man who had ridden from innkeeper's son to king through the sheer force of cavalry courage. Gros captured the magnificent vulgarity and genuine military brilliance that made Murat simultaneously ridiculous and formidable.

Gros captures Murat's legendary panache in the dynamic equestrian pose, rendering the rearing horse and the king's ornate uniform with characteristic energy and precision. The dramatic sky and battlefield smoke create a heroic military atmosphere.