Coronation of Napoleon, Paris, December 16, 1804 1804 - 1825

Louis Le Coeur created this print, titled "Coronation of Napoleon, Paris, December 16, 1804", commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte's self-crowning as Emperor of France. This event took place amidst a period of immense social and political change following the French Revolution. The print encapsulates the complexities of power, identity, and representation during Napoleon's era. We see an attempt to legitimize his imperial rule through carefully staged spectacles, illustrated with a mountain, a sailing ship, and a firework display. The imagery is very gendered, since the fireworks rise above a strong, solid mountain, while the emperor is seen as a hero, a leader on the sea, backed by an anonymous crowd. Consider how Napoleon, in crowning himself, disrupts traditional notions of power transfer and divine right. It invites reflection on how political leaders construct their image and manipulate public perception. This artwork serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between power, identity, and visual representation.