Charles Percier and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine, - c. 1807-1808
Having placed the crown on his own head, as previously agreed with Pope Pius VII, Napoléon next placed a crown on Joséphine’s head, who was moved to tears by the gesture. For him, this was the highlight of the coronation. When he saw David’s rendition of the ceremony, from which this drawing is taken, he said “Well done, David. You have guessed what I had in mind... you have shown me as a French knight.”
