The Strange Reason Napoleon Always Kept His Hand Hidden In Portraits

Short in stature yet big in ambition, Napoleon Bonaparte is remembered as one of the greatest military leaders that the world has ever seen. But there are still plenty of mysteries surrounding the life of the one-time Emperor of the French. Why, for example, do portraits often show him with his right hand concealed beneath his clothes?

Was he hiding something?

Was Napoleon keen to hide something that could’ve damaged his fearsome reputation if left on display? Or did the gesture have some other hidden meaning – perhaps a coded message to enemies or friends? Well, historians have been researching the story behind this special stance, and there’s a very real explanation for it.

A common theme...

Something of a celebrity in his day, Napoleon was naturally the subject of a number of portraits painted both during and after his lifetime. But the pose that he adopted, ensuring his hand was out of sight, looks rather unusual to a modern eye and so has given rise to many strange rumors over the years.

Default depiction

Over time, the image of Napoleon concealing his right hand in his shirt has become the default depiction of this tempestuous and complex leader. In fact, it’s become so ubiquitous that many believe he walked around that way in real life, too. So what’s the truth behind the emperor’s specific choice of stance?

Heart of the mystery

Perhaps the most well-known example of Napoleon’s missing hand can be seen in an 1812 portrait by the French artist Jacques-Louis David. Today, it’s considered one of the most iconic images of the great leader, who was Emperor of the French at the time, and as such, it’s at the heart of the mystery that’s surrounded Napoleon for more than 200 years.