Général sans pareil

"A French 'hieroglyphic portrait' of Napoleon (whole length), probably deriving from No. 12177. ... The arms are not folded as in that print, and in the right hand a noose is held out: 'Lacet pour Pichegrue'. The left forefinger, inscribed 'Moreau', and the thumb, inscribed 'Pichegrue', are extended in a significant gesture. The face, in profile to the left, is without symbols or inscriptions; the hat is covered with crowns, the papal tiara being prominent. Above: 'Chapeau chargé de Couronnes'. On the front of the coat from the neck downwards are inscriptions: 'Evacuation de l'Egypte' [see No. 9523], 'Malte' [see No. 9700], 'Portugale', 'Espagne', 'Bateaux plats' [cf. No. 9995], 'Russie', 'Pologne', 'Prusse', 'Saxe', 'Westphalie', 'Hollande'. On the arm two tiny soldiers fire at the kneeling 'Duc d'Enghin' [sic], and Napoleon, enthroned, gives orders to a file of three subservient officials: 'Commission Militaires et Tribunaux recevant les Ordres'. On the coat from the waist downwards are the inscriptions: '13 Vendémiaire' [5 Oct. 1795], 'Journée de St Cloud' [Brumaire, 10 Nov. 1799, see No. 9426, &c.], 'Guerre éternelle à l'Angleterre', 'Désolation de l'Allemagne', 'Inquiétude en Italie', 'Trahison sur la Famille d'Espagne' [see No. 10990, &c.], 'Détronisation du Roi des Asturies', 'Violation des Etats Romains' [see No. 11360, &c.]. On the waistcoat are five kings (half length), crowned and holding sceptres: 'Fabrique de Sire' [cire]. Above these is an ape: 'la Folie'. On the right thigh, of which only a small part is visible, statues and busts are depicted. The most conspicuous is the Apollo Belvedere. These are: 'Objets d'Arts Pillés chez les différentes Nations'. On the left thigh are objects relating to the Continental System: a cask, bales inscribed 'Magasin de denrées', a larger cask filled with sugar-loaves, more bales inscribed 'Coloniales', and a pile of beetroots: 'Sucre de Beterave' [see No. 12316]. Over the boot-top hangs a row of tabs, inscribed: 'Billets de / Banque. / Ventes des biens / Communaux / Cautionnement / Arrierés'. The boot-top is 'Chute du Trône de France et d'Italie'. The boots are covered with skulls and bones inscribed 'Conscription [see No. 12087, &c.] et Levée en Masse' [see No. 12201]. The spur is a serpent spitting out the words: 'Eguillonant son système de destruction'. From the coat-tail pocket project rolled documents, torn, and inscribed: 'Décrets Violés depuis la Journée de St Cloud Jusque au Jour de sa déchéance'. The sword has a star below the hilt, and a wavy blade inscribed 'Comete'."--British Museum online catalogue