Napoleon on a rearing horse, crossing the Great St Bernard Pass in 1800 on his way to Italy. His cloak billows, and he points to the summit. The names of Hannibal and Charlemagne, who also crossed the Alps, are carved into the rocks.

In reality he crossed on a mule, on a fine day. Napoleon refused to sit for the portrait. David made five versions; this is the first, at the Château de Malmaison.