A large early 19th century rock-crystal intaglio of Napoleon crossing the Alps at the St. Bernard Pass, by Francesco Pozzi (1750–1805), after Jacques-Louis David. Mounted in gold, un-marked.

There were five versions of Jacques-Louis David’s equestrian portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) painted between 1801 and 1805. Initially commissioned by the King of Spain, the composition shows a strongly idealised view of the crossing Napoleon and his army made across the Alps through the Great St. Bernard Pass in May 1800.

For full details of the painting, see this entry in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_Crossing_the_Alps.

Still in the original fitted case, as Pozzi died in 1805, this intaglio is contemporary to the painting and no doubt has an interesting history, yet to be revealed.

80mm x 55mm

SOLD