It's striking to think about the sheer scale Jacques-Louis David aimed for in his 1801 oil on canvas, depicting Napoleon Crossing the Alps at the St Bernard Pass, 20th May 1800. What David, working firmly within Neoclassicism, set out to achieve here was clearly a heroic portrayal. Considering the Alps themselves are described as some of Europe's highest and most extensive mountain ranges, stretching approximately 1,200 km across several Alpine countries including France, Switzerland, and Italy, the journey itself was monumental. This formidable setting must have been a core element in the visual narrative, where the figure of Napoleon, rendered in oil on canvas, would likely be presented as overcoming such vast, rugged terrain. It raises an interesting tension: how does one reconcile the precise historical date of '20th May 1800' with the idealized grandeur characteristic of Neoclassical art? This particular piece invites us to consider how much of what we see is a historical record, and how much is a carefully constructed image of power against an overwhelming natural backdrop.