Focus on The Coronation of Napoleon and explore the Characters.
Napoleon I (1769–1821), is standing, dressed in coronation robes similar to those of Roman emperors. Others are merely passive spectators. In the actual painting it is possible to see the outline of what was originally painted: Napoleon holding the crown above his own head, as if placing it on himself.
Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763–1814), is kneeling in a submissive position, as called for in the French Civil Code. She received the crown from the hands of her husband, not the pope. Her robe is decorated with silk, according to a contemporary cartoon by Jean-Francois Bony.
Maria Letizia Ramolino (1750–1836), mother of Napoleon, was placed in the stands by the painter. She occupies a place more important than the pope. Actually, she did not attend the ceremony to protest the friction of Napoleon with his brothers Lucien and Joseph. Maria Letizia asked the painter to give Lucien a place of honour. In 1808, when Napoleon discovered the canvas completed in the workshop of David, he was enthralled, and expressed his gratitude to the painter who had managed to convey to posterity the tribute paid to the affection he had towards a woman who shared with him the burden of his office.
Louis Bonaparte (1778–1846), who at the beginning of the empire received the title of grand constable, King of Holland, in 1806. He married Hortense de Beauharnais, the daughter of Josephine.
Joseph Bonaparte (1768–1844),  who, after the coronation, received the title of Prince Imperial. Afterwards, he was King of Naples in 1806 and Spain in 1808.
The young Napoleon Charles Bonaparte (1802–1807), son of Louis Bonaparte and Hortense de Beauharnais.
The sisters of Napoleon. In the replica, the dress of Napoleon's favorite sister is pink. This is the only change in the replica, despite it having been painted from memory.
Charles-Francois Lebrun (1739–1824), the third consul alongside Napoleon and Cambacérès. Under the First Empire, he took the place of prince-architrésorier. He holds the sceptre.
Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès (1753–1824), arch-chancellor prince of the empire. He takes the hand of justice.
Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753–1815), minister of war under the Consulate. Marshal of the Empire in 1805. He keeps the globe surmounted by a cross.
Talleyrand (1754–1836), grand chamberlain since July 11, 1804.
Joachim Murat (1767–1815), Marshal of the Empire, king of Naples after 1808, brother-in-law of Napoleon and husband of Caroline Bonaparte.
Pope Pius VII (1742–1823), was content to bless the coronation. He is surrounded by clerics, appointed by Napoleon since the Concordat. In order not to jeopardize the new balance between church and state, the Pope accepted to attend the coronation. The original sketches (as was typical in those days) showed the (key) subjects - including the Pope - minus their clothing, which was added in the actual painting. The Pope was originally pictured with his hands crossed in his lap, but Napoleon, supposedly claiming that the Pope was not present to do nothing, instructed that the painting should depict him anointing the proceedings.
The painter Jacques-Louis David is depicted in the stands as well.
Halet Efendi, an Ottoman ambassador, was also present. He is shown below in the detailed picture.
Dom Raphaël de Monachis, Greek-Egyptian monk and member of the Institut d'Égypte, is depicted among the clergymen, standing to the right of the Bishop, with a beard and a red hood.
The female robe bearer in front, right behind Josephine, on the right side from the viewer's point of view, is Elisabeth-Hélène-Pierre de Montmorency-Laval, mother of politician Sosthènes II de La Rochefoucauld. She was a court lady of Josephine.
Napoleon Caroline Bonaparte Institut d'Égypte Talleyrand Jacques-Louis David Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès right Lucien Raphaël de Monachis Halet Efendi Consulate Joseph Bonaparte Louis Bonaparte Hortense de Beauharnais Charles-Francois Lebrun Joséphine de Beauharnais Pope Pius VII sceptre First Empire Napoleon I Joachim Murat Cambacérès place of honour Louis-Alexandre Berthier Napoleon Charles Bonaparte Maria Letizia Ramolino