TheOldMastersPrintsThe Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David: meaning, location and key facts
The Coronation of Napoleon is an oil on canvas by Jacques-Louis David, painted between 1805 and 1807. It measures 621 × 979 cm and is held at the Louvre, Paris.
Key facts
| Artist | Jacques-Louis David |
|---|---|
| Date | 1805–1807 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 621 × 979 cm (height × width) |
| Museum | Louvre, Paris |
| Style | Neoclassicism |
| Data source | Wikidata (Q1231009) · Wikipedia |
What it shows
The coronation ceremony of Napoleon in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on 2 December 1804. David chooses the moment when Napoleon, having crowned himself, is about to crown his wife Joséphine, who kneels before him. Pope Pius VII, seated, blesses the scene.
More than a hundred figures fill a canvas 6.21 × 9.79 metres wide. David attended the ceremony and portrayed the members of the court faithfully, although he changed details for political reasons.
Did you know?
- Letizia Bonaparte, the emperor’s mother, appears in a gallery although she did not attend the ceremony.
- David painted a second version, now at Versailles, in which one of Napoleon’s sisters wears pink.
- It is one of the largest paintings in the Louvre.
Where to see the original
The Coronation of Napoleon is at the Louvre, Paris. Works are sometimes lent to exhibitions or taken down for restoration, so it is worth checking the museum’s website before you go.
Which print size to choose
The print keeps the proportions of the original: if they differ from the paper, the painting is centred with a white border and never cropped. More details in our size guide.
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | shelves, desks and gallery walls |
|---|---|
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | bedrooms, hallways and small walls |
| A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) | above a sideboard, chest of drawers or headboard |
Prints are made to order in the Czech Republic and reach the EU in 3 to 8 days, with no customs. Canvases are made in the USA and take about 2 to 3 weeks, with EU VAT included in the price.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Coronation of Napoleon?
- The original is held at the Louvre, Paris.
- How big is The Coronation of Napoleon?
- The original painting measures 621 × 979 cm (height × width).
- Who painted The Coronation of Napoleon and when?
- It was painted by Jacques-Louis David between 1805 and 1807.
- Can I hang a reproduction of The Coronation of Napoleon at home?
- Yes. The work is in the public domain, so it can be freely reproduced. We offer it as a matte print in A4, A3, A2 (from €18.99) and as a ready-to-hang canvas (from €64.99), with free shipping to the EU.
Updated 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Message us through the shop and we will fix it.
