Artwork

Passage du Mont St. Bernard (Napoleon's Army Crossing the St. Bernard Pass)

Passage du Mont St. Bernard (Napoleon's Army Crossing the St. Bernard Pass) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Théodore Géricault. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Passage du Mont St.

About this work

Overview

Passage du Mont St. Bernard (Napoleon's Army Crossing the St. Bernard Pass) is a 1822 lithograph by Théodore Géricault, capturing a dramatic moment of Napoleon’s army navigating the perilous St. Bernard Pass.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the arduous journey of Napoleon’s troops through the snowy, treacherous St. Bernard Pass, highlighting the challenges and chaos of military conquest. Soldiers are shown climbing, carrying arms, dragging packs, and leading horses amidst swirling smoke, with some receiving guidance in the midst of the turmoil.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography on wove paper, the work features quick, sketchy lines that convey the frenetic energy of the scene, characteristic of the medium’s capacity for rapid, expressive mark-making. The absence of smooth details underscores the immediacy of the depicted moment.

History & Provenance

Created in 1822 by Théodore Géricault, a key figure in the French Romantic movement, the lithograph reflects his penchant for dynamic historical subjects. Géricault’s career, though brief, was highly influential in the development of Romantic art.

Context

The work is set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s military campaigns, which were a significant part of European history during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The St. Bernard Pass, a challenging Alpine route, was crucial for military movements between France and Italy.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Passage du Mont St. Bernard* are not extensively documented in the provided sources, Géricault’s overall contribution to the Romantic movement and his innovative use of lithography have had a lasting impact on the development of printmaking and the depiction of historical themes in art.