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Napoleon

Broadsheet
1814 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Broadsheet with hand-coloured engraving headpiece caricaturing Napoleon.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleNapoleon (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
hand-coloured engraving and letterpress
Brief description
Napoleon. Satirical broadsheet with engraving after Johann Voltz, published by Ackermann's, London, 1814.
Physical description
Broadsheet with hand-coloured engraving headpiece caricaturing Napoleon.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.5in
  • Width: 10in
Marks and inscriptions
Napoleon: The First, and Last, by the Wrath of Heaven Emperor of the Jacobins, Protector of the Confederation of du Rhin, Mediator of the Helvétique League, Grand Cross of the Legion of Horror, Commander in Chief of the Legions of Skeletons left at Moscow, Smolensk, Leipzig, &c., Head Runner of Runaways, Mock High-Priest of the Sanhedrim, Mock Prophet of Mussulmen, Mock Pillar of the Christian Faith, Inventor of the Syrian Method of disposing of his own Sick by sleeping Draughts, or of captured Enemies by the Bayonet; First Grave-Digger for burying alive; Chief Gaoler of the Holy Father and of the King of Spain, Destroyer of Crowns, and Manufacturer of Counts, Dukes, Princes, and Kings; Chief Douanier of the Continental System, Head Butcher of the Parisian and Toulonese Massacres, Murderer of Hoffer, Palm, Wright, nay, of his own Prince the noble and virtuous Duke of Enghien, and of a Thousand others; Kidnapper of Ambassadors, High-Admiral of the Invasion Praams, Cup-bearer of the Jaffa Poison, Arch-Chancellor of Waste-Paper Treaties, Arch-Treasurer of the Plunder of the World, the Sanguinary Coxcomb, Assassin, and Incendiary......to MAKE PEACE WITH !!! This Hieroglyphic Portrait of the DESTROYER is faithfully copied from a German Print, with the parody of his assumed titles. The "Hat. . ." represents a discomfited French Eagle, maimed and crouching, after his Conflict with the Eagles of the North. His "Visage" is composed of the Carcases of the Victims of his Folly and Ambition, who perished on the Plains of Russia and Saxony. His Throat is encircled with the "Red Sea", in Allusion to his drowned Hosts. His Epaulette is a "Hand", leading the Rhenish Confederation, under the flimsy Symbol of a "Cobweb". The "Spider" is an Emblem of the Vigilance of the Allies, who have inflicted on That Hand a deadly Sting!
Subject depicted
Bibliographic references
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1943, London: HMSO, 1956.
  • British Museum, Catalogue of Politicial and Personal Satires [c.1320-1832] London, 1870-1954.
Collection
Accession number
E.604-1943

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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