Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole

"Bonaparte at the Pont d’Arcole" is a captivating painting by Antoine-Jean Gros, created in 1796. It captures an electrifying moment from the Battle of Arcole, where General Napoleon Bonaparte is heroically leading his troops to assault a bridge. In this dramatic scene, Bonaparte holds the flagstaff of the Armée d'Italie in his left hand and his sword in his right, set against the tumultuous backdrop of the battlefield.

The painting, completed in Naples in 1796, has had an intriguing journey through history. It was once part of the collections of both Napoleon and later Napoleon III, before finding its way to the Louvre. Today, it is exhibited at the Palace of Versailles, where visitors can appreciate its historical significance.

Several related works accompany this masterpiece. A sketch of the painting is housed at the Musée du Louvre, and other versions can be found in Arenenberg, Switzerland, and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. Highlighting its cultural influence, the painting even featured on the cover of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto in E-flat major, Opus 73.