“The Coronation of Napoleon”, painted by Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) is a historical masterpiece. Almost 200 easily identifiable people are depicted. David even included Napoleon’s mother, who was not present at the ceremony. From this close-up, it is not hard to read the disapproval of the modus operandi on the prelates’ faces standing behind the Emperor. Wreathed in a gold laurel crown, Napoleon briefly places the crown of Charlemagne on the head of Empress Josephine. The painting of Napoleon I and Josephine’s coronation is now part of the French collective imagination.