Nude study of Pope Pius VII
by DAVID, Jacques-Louis, Black crayon over graphite, 293 x 253 mm
Working on the Consecration, David planned to show the Pope watching the event with his hands on his knees, as seen in this drawing, but Napoleon intervened and in his usual forthright manner exclaimed: ‘I didn’t have him come all that way to do nothing.’ Therefore, in the final work, Napoleon is shown raising the crown in both hands before placing it on Josephine’s head.