Name: _________________________________________________________

 

Pictures of Power: Jacques-Louis David’s “Napoleon in His Study”

Internet Homework Assignment

Ms. Melad

 

Directions:

Go to the following website: http://www.nga.gov/kids/napoleon/nap2.html.

Please follow the directions to the website and answer the following questions.  Be sure to investigate every “clue” in order to best answer the questions below.  You do not have to make a political portrait of your own as the site suggests.

 

1)     How does the size of this painting contribute to its realism?

 

 

 

2)     What does the scroll on the floor of the study reveal?

 

 

 

 

3)     What would be the significance of Napoleon’s golden epaulets?

 

 

 

 

4)     What is the significance and symbolism of the book on the floor of the study?

 

 

 

 

 

5)     At what moment is the portrait capturing Napoleon?  What clues are there to suggest what he was doing just prior to the “capturing” of his image?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)     What do the bees embroidered on Napoleon’s chair symbolize?

 

 

 

 

7)     What is one thing that often puzzles viewers of this portrait?  What is the most logical explanation for this question?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8)     Political leaders often use dress and posture to consciously create an image of themselves in the public eye.  What values does Napoleon identify himself with, and how?