Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825)
France, 1803
Oil on canvas
Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon
© RMN (Château de Versailles) F Raux

This portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback is an iconic image. This remarkable painting that illustrates the genius of the most important painter of the time captures also an important moment in history. The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s itinerary includes a section about the turning point of the late 18th century when the American and French Revolutions and the rise of Napoleon sparked a feeling that individuals could change the course of history. Louvre Abu Dhabi has acquired a portrait of George Washington which fits also perfectly in this theme.