The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries
1812 · Oil on canvas · National Gallery of Art, Washington
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This print
About this work
- Artist
- Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825)
- Year
- 1812
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Original size
- 203.9 × 125.1 cm
- Collection
- National Gallery of Art, Washington
- Movement
- Neoclassicism
Napoleon stands in his study in the Tuileries at four in the morning, the clock on the wall showing the hour, the candles burnt low and the quill and papers on the desk recording a night spent drafting the Civil Code, whose name appears on the rolled sheets. His uniform is that of a colonel of the foot grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, with the Legion of Honour and the Iron Crown; his sword is on the chair and the word Code is legible on the papers. The painting was commissioned in 1811 by Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton, an admirer of the emperor, and finished in 1812; Napoleon, who did not sit for it, said David had understood him. It stayed at Hamilton Palace until 1882, passed through the Rosebery collection and was bought by Samuel H. Kress, who gave it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington in 1961.
This print reproduces the whole work, uncropped, from a high-resolution scan of the original. The original is in the public domain.
Where it works
A full-length emperor in dark green and white before a gilded desk and a glowing candle, a formal portrait for a study, office or hallway at 24×36 in black. Deep green, navy or burgundy walls suit the uniform; hang it with Napoleon Crossing the Alps.
Style, size & framing detail
- Style
- Neoclassicism painting
- Era
- 19th century (1812)
- Orientation
- Portrait
- Mood
- intimate
- Rooms
- hallway or entryway, study or library, home office, living room, dining room
- Good gift for
- housewarming, art lovers
Size. We'd hang this one at 24×36. Prints at 12×18, 16×24, 24×36 in — 12×18 for a shelf, desk or a gallery-wall grid; 16×24 above a desk, console or in a hallway; 24×36 as the statement piece above a sofa or bed.
Framing. The gallery ground is part of the print, so frame it without a mat — natural wood flatters the lighter palette; black sharpens it.
Pairing. Pairs as a set of three with other famous painting prints (10% off three or more).
Details & materials
Shipping & returns
Is this the whole painting, or a crop?
Is The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries in the public domain?
What is it printed on?
When was The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries painted, and in what medium?
What size works above a sofa or bed?
About this design
The Madten promise
An exhibition poster
The same artwork as a gallery exhibition poster — title, artist & date typeset beneath the image on a soft ground.
