From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up—While serving in Egypt in the rear line alongside Napoleon's artists, 17-year-old French private Jean discovers his passion and talent for drawing. But hungry to prove himself an able soldier like his father, he is severely injured in a battle with the Austrians at Marengo. After this close call, his friend and father-figure, Alain, convinces him to pursue his art and, by a stroke of luck, Jean is commissioned to study under the great painter Jacques-Louis David. He tries desperately to impress the master but continues to grapple with his own insecurities, including his humble upbringing and guilt about leaving the army. The historical emphasis is intentional yet subtle in this dramatic tale of a young man coming of age during the height of Napoleon's empire. Jean's experiences on the battlefield and what he witnesses in the hospital amputee ward are not for the faint of heart, but they are honest. Readers can't help but receive an education on this turbulent period and the brilliance behind David's creations as they are wrapped up in Jean's struggle to find his place in a rapidly changing France.—
Kimberly Monaghan, formerly at Vernon Area Public Library, IL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
"Napoleon Crossing the Saint Bernard", one of the most famous paintings in Western art, is a piece of war propaganda - Napoleon didn't ride a rearing stallion to cross the river on his campaign; he rode a donkey. He relied on the artist Jacques-Louis David to polish his public image. The truth behind the propaganda is revealed in a compelling story of fifteen-year-old Jean, whose idealistic view of the leader comes under fire when he begins working in David's studio. As he battles with Louis, David's cowardly son, it becomes clear that their fates mirror the course of the French Empire. "A Brush with Napoleon" is a dynamic addition to the popular "Art Encounters" series.
