"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.
"A Lapp settlement fills one end of an oblong hall, lit from the roof. Ice or water is bordered by snow-covered mountains or ice-pinnacles painted on the walls. In front of the water are two tents or huts, partly hidden by spectators. In the foreground is a Lapp family, a child holds a cord attached to a high-stepping reindeer decked with ribbons which draws a sledge in which sits a little English boy, holding the reins and held up by a lady. On the left behind a railing are reindeer; spectators are crowded between them and the wall. A woman holds one by the antlers, and raises two fingers towards an elderly husband. Spectators stare, ogle, and flirt. On the walls are reindeer antlers, Lapp garments of fur, &c, low boots with up-turned toes."--British Museum online catalogue.