The head of Louis XVI lies on the platform at the base of a guillotine, his hands tied behind his back, blood pouring from the blade and his head. The swirls of blood ascend and swirl around the guillotine like clouds of smoke and etched in this cloud are a long speech pleading for justice from the British nation and beginning: Wither, O wither shall my blood ascend for Justice? My throne is seized on by my murderers ...
Description:
Title etched below image., Two lines of text above image: This exact representation of that instrument of French refinement in assassination, the guillotine, is submited to the "Gentlemen of the Phalanx" & other well-wishers to the King & Constitution of Great Britain, by their devoted servants at command, The Assassins of the King of France., Sheet trimmed within plate mark at top and bottom., 1 print : etching on wove paper, hand-colored ; plate mark 35.3 x 24.8 cm, on sheet 38.1 x 27.5 cm., and Mounted on leaf 28 of volume 3 of 12.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 16th, 1793, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
France and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793
Subject (Topic):
Death and burial, Decapitations, Executions, Guillotines (Punishment), History, and Foreign relations
The head of Louis XVI lies on the platform at the base of a guillotine, his hands tied behind his back, blood pouring from the blade and his head. The swirls of blood ascend and swirl around the guillotine like clouds of smoke and etched in this cloud are a long speech pleading for justice from the British nation and beginning: Wither, O wither shall my blood ascend for Justice? My throne is seized on by my murderers ...
Description:
Title etched below image., Two lines of text above image: This exact representation of that instrument of French refinement in assassination, the guillotine, is submited to the "Gentlemen of the Phalanx" & other well-wishers to the King & Constitution of Great Britain, by their devoted servants at command, The Assassins of the King of France., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark at top and bottom.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 16th, 1793, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
France and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793
Subject (Topic):
Death and burial, Decapitations, Executions, Guillotines (Punishment), History, and Foreign relations
"Custine stands on the scaffold beside the guillotine (left). Four ragged ruffians are about to bind him to the plank on which he is to lie; one says, "By Gar so we will serve all de Generals who do not conquer de whole World, and give them de Libertè". Custine says, "Pardon me Heaven for having been leagued with such a set of Blood hounds". A stout soldier pushes a weeping priest, who says "Let us Pray", down the steps (right) which lead up to the scaffold, saying, "Go to de diable & Your Prayers both". Below (right) stand republican soldiers with fixed bayonets much caricatured. On the extreme left a man kneels at the guillotine holding his hat in place of the usual basket; he says, "Begar I will have a Drink of de blood.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
French gratitude and Republican rewards for past services
Description:
Title etched above image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., 'N' in 'Custine' reversed., and Watermark: Strasburg bend.
Publisher:
Pub. Sepr. 16, 1793, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
France.
Subject (Name):
Custine, Adam Philippe, comte de, 1740-1793
Subject (Topic):
Executions, Guillotines (Punishment), Priests, Soldiers, French, and Sansculottes
