Napoleon Crossing the Saint Bernard, one of the most famous paintings in Western art, is a piece of war propaganda--for example, Napoleon didn t ride a rearing stallion to cross the river on his campaign; he rode a donkey. Napoleon relied on the artist Jacques-Louis David to polish his public image. The truth behind the propaganda is revealed by acclaimed author Laban Carrick Hill 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. Blending romance, drama, and history, A Brush with Napoleon is a dynamic addition to the popular Art Encounters series.