Napoléon I Crossing the Alps after 1800

Curator: This is "Napoléon I Crossing the Alps," a medal by Bertrand Andrieu in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking! The crisp relief of Napoleon on horseback against the vague mountain backdrop creates an immediate sense of heroic drama. Curator: Yes, the imagery draws heavily from classical equestrian statues, associating Napoleon with power and victory, but it also evokes a feeling of determined perseverance. Editor: Notice how the artist uses the circular format to his advantage. The curvature emphasizes the sweeping motion of the horse and rider, almost as if they are emerging from the coin itself. Curator: Precisely. And the inscription reinforces the deliberate connection between Napoleon and historical figures like Hannibal and Charlemagne, all conquerors who crossed the Alps. It's a carefully constructed narrative of imperial ambition. Editor: The interplay between the polished highlights and shadowed recesses enhances the three-dimensionality of the scene, making it feel much larger than its actual size. A powerful object. Curator: Indeed, a small object carrying immense symbolic weight.