Was he hiding something?
Was Napoleon trying to hide something that, if revealed, could tarnish his terrible reputation? Or was there another hidden meaning to that gesture, perhaps a coded message to enemies or friends? Historians have studied the story behind this particular posture and there is a very realistic explanation for it. Napoleon’s distinctive pose may have been an attempt to control his image and appearance.
His pose was particularly noted for being different from many other leaders of his time. It might have been intended to express his personality or charisma, but the truth behind it is still not clear. However, there’s no doubt that this distinctive stance represented more than just a posture.