Napoléon: le démon et la défaite

     Napoleon in exlie on St. Helena. Here Napoleon's posture is herendous and gluteny has gotten the best of him. You can clearly see a broken man, a stark contrast from one who was nearly ruler of Europe at one point.  This is one of the most famous paintings when it comes to the demonilization of Napoleon. This painting was created in 1845, 24 years after Napoleon's death, by Paul Delaroche, a French artist. This timely portrayal was normal becasue to make anything showing Napoleon in a negative way during his rule was almost certain death for the artist.

     This particular painting is not aimed at Napeoleon directly but is surely meant to distort the overall image of him. The Third of May, by Fransico Goya, depicts the atrocities of the French army in 1808 during the Peninsular war in Spain. Specifically, the Spanish resistance towards the oppressive French is shown and celebrated, while also clearly showing how little remorse and mercy the French showed. Proven through symbolizm with unarmed, peaceful citizens of a rival nation forced out of church and marched toward their execution. The painting itself was comissioned by the Spanish government at the time, being suggested by Goya himself.