The arms of two gibbets extend symmetrically, high above a bonfire; between them is an equally high post supporting a board on which the title is etched. From one (right) dangles a realistic effigy of Napoleon (scarcely caricatured) in cocked hat, uniform, and Hessian boots. From the other hangs a ruffianly fellow holding a dark lantern. They face each other in profile
Description:
Title from ink annotation, centered at the top of the sheet within the design., Unsigned; attributed to Rowlandson., and Preliminary pencil sketch of a print published by R. Ackermann on 27 November 1813. Cf. No. 12103 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 9.
Subject (Name):
Fawkes, Guy, 1570-1606, Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
"Two fighting-cocks, with the heads of Napoleon and Pitt, face each other across the English Channel. Napoleon (left) has a large ruff of tricolour feathers and enormously long spurs, but his wings and tail feathers are clipped. His cliff is the higher; he leans forward, saying, "Eh Master Billy, if I could but take a flight over this Brook I would soon stop your Crowing, I would Knock you off that Perch, I swear by Mahomet, the Pope and all the Idols I have ever Worshiped." Pitt stands on a large royal crown which brings his feet almost to a level with those of Bonaparte; he stands erect, thus towering above his rival; he has very short spurs but a fine tail and wings; he crows: "Tuck a roo - too that you never can do!!!" Below them lies the sea with a fleet of ships in full sail close to the English coast."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Publisher's advertisement in lower right: Folios of caracatures lent out for the evening., and Mounted at the corners on a leaf: 29.5 x 42 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 27th, 1803, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Subject (Topic):
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, Proposed invasion of England, 1793-1805, Game fowl, Cockfighting, Crowns, Cliffs, Bodies of water, and Ships