Louis-philippe Crépin D’orléans (1772–1851) Bonaparte, Arcole Bridge, First Empire Ssl26cre001

Louis-Philippe CRÉPIN, known as Crépin d’Orléans (1772–1851)
Bonaparte at the Bridge of Arcole
Oil on panel
French School, early 19th century – Military scene – First Empire
SSL26CRE001

Oil on wooden panel, attributed to Louis-Philippe Crépin.
Panel: approx. 24.5 × 22 cm
Frame: approx. 35.5 × 37 cm

Born in Paris in 1772, Louis-Philippe Crépin (Crépin d’Orléans) belonged to the generation of artists shaped by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic campaigns and the political changes of the early 19th century.

Before becoming a recognised painter he served for several years in the navy as a topman and helmsman, gaining first-hand knowledge of military life. He later took part in the 1830 Algiers expedition. Specialising in marine painting, he exhibited at the Salon from 1796 and in 1830 was appointed official painter to the Ministry of the Navy alongside Théodore Gudin. He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1832.

Although best known for his seascapes and large naval compositions, he also produced military and historical scenes. His personal military experience gives particular interest to works of this type.

Auction results for Crépin vary widely according to subject, size, quality and certainty of attribution. As an example, The Combat of the Lys and the Gloire against the Cumberland sold for €193,500.

This oil on panel depicts one of the most famous episodes of the Napoleonic legend: the crossing of the Bridge of Arcole (15–17 November 1796).

At the centre, Bonaparte stands on the makeshift wooden bridge in a dark uniform with red collar and gold epaulettes. In one hand he raises his sword; in the other he firmly holds the tricolour flag flying in the wind. A fallen soldier lies at his feet while other troops advance or lie in the smoke of battle. The atmosphere is dark, dynamic and typical of early 19th-century combat scenes.

The painter favours a free, expressive style: silhouettes stand out against a deliberately simplified, smoke-filled background. The contrasts of the uniforms, the dramatic gesture of the general and the flag form the focal point. The work prioritises intensity and movement over minute detail.

The painted panel is in good condition.
It is presented in a later carved and gilded wood-and-stucco frame whose rich decorative motifs of garlands, leaves and beads harmonise well with the historical character of the painting. The ensemble is solid and stable, with no evidence of woodworm. The frame gives the work an elegant and immediately decorative presence.

This military scene will appeal to enthusiasts of Napoleonic history, collectors of 19th-century French painting and lovers of Imperial iconography.
Its intimate format, highly symbolic subject (Bonaparte at Arcole) and attribution to Crépin make it an interesting addition to any collection devoted to the Empire, military history or early French painting.

A characterful composition that combines historical memory, a sense of movement and the charm of old-master painting.