"Napoleon plays a double bass, stooping forward, and looking with an agonized expression towards a music-book on a high stand, the pages headed 'Conquest of / Spain & Portugal' and ending in 'Volti Su . . . .' He says: "Plague take it! I never met with so difficult a 'passage' before - But if I can once get over the 'Flats', we shall do pretty well for you see the 'Key' will then change to B sharp." Behind Napoleon and on the right stand the Russian bear on his hind legs, muzzled, and blowing a French horn. He says: "Why that is 'Natural' enough brother Boney though this 'French horn' of yours seems rather out of Order I think." Napoleon, who wears a large bicorne, stands on a 'Map of the Continent' showing 'Spain' and 'Portugal'. Behind him are a drum and a roll of 'Boney's Orations Vol. 10th'."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Boney playing base on the Continent and Boney playing bass on the Continent
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, no. 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons.
Attributed to Rowlandson by Grego., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., Temporary local subject terms: Donkeys -- Sailors -- Bird-cages -- Walking-stick -- Menageries., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Blücher, Gebhard Leberecht von,--1742-1819., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., and Wellington, Arthur Wellesley,--Duke of,--1769-1852.
In a series of three images Napoleon Bonaparte is first shown on the left as Emperor wearing royal regalia, with other crowns and pharaoh's insignia at his feet, the Tuilleries Palace behind him, signed "What I was," below and "A cruel tyrant" above. In the second image his weeping figure in military uniform is shown on the tiny island of Elba, and is signed "What I am," below and "A snivelling wretch" above. Lastly, on the right, his corpse hangs from a gibbet, his hat fallen to the ground and ass's ears exposed on his head, with caption "What I ought to be" below and "Hung for a fool" above.
Alternative Title:
What I was, what I am, what I ought to be
Description:
Title etched at bottom of plate.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons.
Subject (Topic):
Crowns. , Gallows., Military uniforms--French--19th century., and Scepters.
"Scene in an English court of law. The judge, Blücher, wearing a legal wig with regimentals, stands up with left arm extended, addressing Napoleon, who crouches in the dock (right), handkerchief in hand, pleading for mercy. Beside the judge are the sovereigns of Europe, two on his right, three on his left, all gazing at the prisoner. In the well of the court aged and grotesque counsel, typical of Rowlandson's lawyers, surround the green-covered table. The jury (left) have stupid, morose, or astonished expressions. The usher, with a long rod, seated on a raised chair, faces the jury on the opposite side of the court. Corpulent constables with staves stand beside and in front of the dock. Freely sketched spectators look down from a crowded gallery above the dock. Almost all eyes are on the prisoner, behind whom stand the Devil, with folded arms, fiercely gloating over his victim. Behind the usher is a high white screen on which Napoleon's offences are inscribed: 'NAPOLEAN BONAPARTE The first and last by the Wrath of Heaven Ex Emperor of the Jacobins & head Runner of Runaways [see British Museum Satires No. 12192], Stands indicted 1ts [sic] for the Murder of Captain Wright in the Temple at Paris 2d for the murder of the Duke Dangulem [d'Enghien] Pichegrew & Georges 3 for the Murder of Palm Hoffer &c & 4th for the murder of the 12 inhabitants of Moscow 5th for inumerable Robberies committed on all Nations in Christendom & elsewhere, 6th for Bigamy & lastly for returning from Transportation, and setting the World in an uproar.' Blücher says fiercely: "You Nap Boneparte being found Guilty of all these Crimes it is fell to my lot to pronounce Sentence of Death on You--You are to be hung by the Neck for one hour till you are Dead, Dead, Dead, & your Body to be chained to a Mill Stone & sunk in the Sea at Torbay." Napoleon says: "Oh cruel Blucher, Oh! cruel Wellington it is you that have brought me to this End. Oh Magnanimous Emperors Kings & Princes intercede for me and spare my life; and give me time to attone for all my Sins, My Son Napoleon the Second will reward you for Mercy shewn me." The sovereigns are poorly characterized. On the extreme left is Alexander, next him and on Blücher's right is the Prince Regent. On Blücher's left is Louis XVIII. Next (?) the King of Prussia, then the Emperor of Austria; next, the Pope with clasped hands, wearing his tiara. On the extreme right is (?) Ferdinand of Spain looking through an eye-glass."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Europe's injuries revenged
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on bottom edge., Temporary local subject terms: Courtrooms -- Judges -- Military uniform: Regimentals --Lawyers -- Ushers -- Constables -- Constables' staves -- Devils -- Satan -- Popes -- Trials., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Alexander--I,--Emperor of Russia,--1777-1825--Caricatures and cartoons., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Blücher, Gebhard Leberecht von,--1742-1819--Caricatures and cartoons., Ferdinand--I,--Emperor of Austria,--1793-1875--Caricatures and cartoons., Ferdinand--VII,--King of Spain,--1784-1833--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick William--III,--King of Prussia,--1770-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., George--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1762-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Louis--XVIII,--King of France,--1755-1824--Caricatures and cartoons., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., and Pius--VII,--Pope,--1742-1823--Caricatures and cartoons.
"An adaptation of British Museum Satires No. 10039, by Gillray, the place of George III being taken by 'Blucher', the name on a ribbon worn over his uniform. The horse (left) is a restive charger instead of a hunter standing quietly. Blücher leans towards the pack in a fierce attitude, unlike that of the King. The grip of the hand on the fox's neck is as before, and the fox with the profile head of Napoleon registering despair is closely copied. In place of six hounds there are fourteen, six with names on their collars: 'Wellington', 'Swartsenberg', 'Crown Prince' [Bernadotte], 'D. York', 'Kutusoff', 'Row' [with a fourth letter which is perhaps 'L'], Two monarchs wearing crowns gallop up from the right, on a larger scale than the tiny horsemen headed by Pitt in British Museum Satires No. 10039. In the background (right) is a flaming town."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Blücher, Gebhard Leberecht von,--1742-1819--Caricatures and cartoons., Charles--XIV John,--King of Sweden and Norway,--1763-1844., Frederick Augustus,--Prince, Duke of York and Albany,--1763-1827., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Kutuzov, Mikhail Illarionovich,--svetleĭshiĭ kni︠a︡zʹ Smolenskiĭ,--1745-1813., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Schwarzenberg, Karl Philipp,--Fürst zu,--1771-1820., and Wellington, Arthur Wellesley,--Duke of,--1769-1852.
"A skeleton, Death (left), seated on a cannon, his elbows on his knees, faces Napoleon, not caricatured, in a similar attitude on a drum. The 'two Kings' gaze fixedly at each other, Death menacing, Napoleon as if trying to read a terrifying riddle. Death's left foot rests on a cannon-ball, the right on the broken shaft of an eagle. Behind is a symbolical representation of the battle. The Allies advance from the left in regular formation with bayonets levelled at fleeing French soldiers. Four flags, with the eagles of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and the Swedish cross, are held up by standard-bearers in the third rank: they recede in perspective from left to right. On the left wing are two hussars, riding down the fugitives. The main French army is streaming in wild confusion up and over a hill, diminishing in perspective. Other soldiers, pursued by hussars, flee down a hill behind Napoleon (right). Bodies of Frenchmen lie on the ground."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state.
Description:
For an earlier state lacking the etched title and serving as the heading to a printed broadside entitled "The two kings of terror," see no. 12093 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 9., Publisher and date of publication from Grego., and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., and Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, artist.
"Napoleon lies in bed, with a fat Dutchman seated on his chest, puffing tobacco smoke at his face, and saying "Orange Boven." He grips Napoleon's neck between his legs; the two men face each other in profile, one staring up, terrified, the other looking down. Napoleon's right arm hangs down from the bed, his fist is clenched, his feet (right), with crisped toes, project from under the coverlet. The Dutchman wears a high-crowned hat, with a large (orange) cockade, and bulky breeches; his left hand is in his breeches pocket. The curtains and counterpane are patterned with eagles; the curtains hang from a circular canopy topped by a large crown and a trophy of sword, sceptre, and eagle. They are drawn aside to frame the two figures. On the fringed pelmet eagles alternate with crowns and a papal tiara, emblem of the humiliation of the Papacy. On the right stand two enormous fasces with projecting lictor's axes, the blades turned towards Napoleon. On a stool in front of the bed are the Emperor's bicorne and sword."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Dutch nightmare, or, The fraternal hug returned with a Dutch squeeze and Fraternal hug returned with a Dutch squeeze
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image; letter "z" in final word "squeeze" is etched backwards.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons.
"An altered version (like British Museum Satires No. 12205) of British Museum Satires No. 11057, from the original plate. ... The shield, sinister supporter, crest and motto are the same, but the dexter supporter is altered, apparently by Rowlandson, from 'The French Devil' (Talleyrand, now a supporter of Louis XVIII) to Death, a skeleton holding up an hour-glass. This has necessitated the re-drawing of the Gallic cock at his feet, but it pecks at a crucifix as before. The (printed) text is as before (allusions to Jaffa, d'Enghien, &c.) except for the addition to the title and the descriptions of the supporters: '. . . The Gallic Cock, vainly pecking the crucifix, is symbolic of the Corsican's impiety.' The description of 'The Corsican Devil' is altered to 'Satan, wearing an Iron Crown,... cutting down the Cap of Liberty, and accompanied by the Serpent and Hyaena, the attributes of the Corsican Emperor's wily and sanguinary reign'. The inscriptions (now obsolete) hanging from the mouth of the hyena are altered to: 'Cambaceres', 'Davoust', 'Augereau', 'Sebastiani', 'Vandamme', 'Savory'."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Attributed to George Cruikshank in the British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1978,U.827., Date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with substantial loss of letterpress text, including publisher's and printer's statements, from bottom edge. Missing text supplied from impression in the British Museum., Six lines of letterpress text, followed by four additional columns of text, below title: ... the tyrant of France, who created himself Emperor of the French 18th May 1803 ..., and Title from letterpress text below image.
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Enghien, Louis-Antoine-Henri de Bourbon,--duc d',--1772-1804--Caricatures and cartoons., Ferdinand--VII,--King of Spain,--1784-1833--Caricatures and cartoons., Harrison & Leigh, publisher., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Pius--VII,--Pope,--1742-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., and Wright, John Wesley,--1769-1805--Caricatures and cartoons.
"The Powers of Europe toss Napoleon in a blanket. He flies into the air, legs above his head, dropping crown and sceptre, his sword also falls. He exclaims with an agonized expression: "O Misericordé." Three figures hold the front of the sheet, in back view, but with upturned profiles: in the centre is John Bull, a fat 'cit', bald-headed, his hat and wig on the ground. On his left, their hands touching, is a Dutchman smoking, and with a big orange cockade in his hat. On his right is a Spanish don, in feathered hat, ruff, cloak, slashed tunic and breeches. At the extreme ends of the sheet are (left) a Cossack, next the Dutchman, and (right) the fat King of Würtemberg. Seven men hold the farther side of the blanket (left to right): the Pope, wearing his tiara, a man wearing a fur cap with a star, inscribed 'Polar Star', identified in a contemporary hand as Poland, despite the association with Sweden (see British Museum Satires No. 10997). His neighbour is identified as Bernadotte, but resembles Francis I. The next two are identified as Russia and Austria, one is perhaps Bavaria (Russia being represented by the Cossack as England is by John Bull). Next is the hussar who commonly stands for Prussia. A man wearing cocked hat and star is identified as Hanover, but does not resemble the Duke of Cambridge or of Cumberland and is not unlike Bernadotte."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Friends and foes, up he goes :
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Charles--XIV John,--King of Sweden and Norway,--1763-1844., Francis--I,--Emperor of Austria,--1768-1835., Frederick--I,--King of Württemberg,--1754-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., and Pius--VII,--Pope,--1742-1823.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character)--Caricatures and cartoons.