Broken gingerbread [graphic]

"A sequel to British Museum Satires No. 10518, Gillray's 'Tiddy-Doll'. Napoleon, haggard and desperate, wearing tattered uniform without the former apron and sword, walks in profile to the left, carrying on his head a large tray. On this stand three gingerbread kings, burlesqued and mutilated, with two queens, a detached head (crowned), and (right) a pile of imperial emblems: crowns, mitre, sceptre, eagle, flag, &c. On the left a bonnet rouge hangs from a staff. In the middle stands an imperial eagle with a tricolour flag to which is tied a broom showing that the contents of the tray are for sale. Napoleon says (with grimly closed mouth): "Buy my Image! Here's my nice little Gingerbread Emperor & Kings Retail and for Exportation!" Behind him is a tumbledown thatched hovel; over an aperture where more gingerbread figures are displayed is a board: 'Tiddy-Doll Gingerbread Baker. NB Removed from Paris.' Above fly three of the (carrion) birds associated in these prints with Elba. Napoleon walks towards the sea; across the water (in France) tiny figures dance holding hands round a white flag inscribed 'Vivent les Bourbons' and topped by a fleur-de-lis. Behind them is the gable-end of a rustic inn: 'The Kings Head New Revived'. A fiddler capers on the edge of the cliff, watching Napoleon."--British Museum online catalogue

"One of many satires on Napoleon's banishment, see British Museum Satires No. 12229, &c., and on the fall of the Bonaparte kings, the 'Corsican Kinglings' of British Museum Satires No. 10518. The Kings must be Joseph, Louis, and Jérôme, see British Museum Satires No. 12225, the Queens either their wives or Napoleon's sisters; they symbolize the fall of the dynasty and no precise identification is necessary. The other kings of British Museum Satires No. 10518, those who owed their crowns to Napoleon, are absent; they are now his enemies."--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalogue