The Coronation of Napoleon
Jacques-Louis David · 1807
Why it's great
Napoleon, in 1804, took the crown from the Pope and placed it on his own head — and then crowned his wife Josephine, which is the moment David painted. It is enormous, about 10 meters wide, and packed with 200 life-size people. David was Napoleon's official painter, and the picture was meant to show power and glory. It's still a famous record of one of history's biggest ceremonies.
🏛️ Part of history
Napoleon & the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815) — Napoleon crowns himself and then his wife Josephine in Notre-Dame in 1804. David was there, sketching.
Where to see it
📍 Palace of VersaillesVersailles, France
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris and became the greatest painter of the Neoclassical style, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. He supported the French Revolution and later became Napoleon's official painter. After Napoleon fell, he was forced into exile and spent his last years in Brussels, Belgium. He taught many famous students and shaped French art for generations.
