"An officer of the Gardes du Corps, wearing the cross of St. Louis, stands with a drawn sword before a door leading to a long room or gallery. Within stands Louis XVI holding the Dauphin by the hand, while Marie Antoinette takes his right arm. Above their heads is etched 'Save us from treatcherous Friends'. The officer says, "I find there's treachery - but I'll defend my King & Family to the last Drop of my blood". In his hat is a favour inscribed 'Vive le Rot'. Hiding behind an arched doorway (right) are two people dressed as women, wearing cloaks and hats; each clutches a dagger, and below the petticoat of the foremost, Orléans, protrudes a spurred boot. He says "Where shall we hide our selves - my Plot is marr'd." His companion, Mirabeau, who is on the extreme right, says, "Damnable fool thus to serve Your purpose & risk - a la Lanterne". They are identified in a contemporary hand as 'O-----ns' and 'M ... b .. u'. Orleans is a recognizable portrait. On the wall between the officer and the conspirators is a crucifix above a receptacle for holy-water."--British Museum catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Publisher's advertisement following imprint: Where may be seen the completest collection of caricatures &c. also the head & hand of Count Struenzee, admittance 1 shill., Temporary local subject terms: French Revolution -- French military uniforms -- Garde du Corps., Watermark: countermark T W., Upper right corner torn resulting in loss of text., and Orléans and Mirabeau identified in contemporary hand below image.
Publisher:
Pubd. August 19, 1790, by W.S.[sic] Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793, Marie Antoinette, Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France, 1755-1793, Louis XVII, of France, 1785-1795, Orléans, Louis Philippe Joseph, duc d', 1747-1793, and Mirabeau, Honoré-Gabriel de Riqueti, comte de, 1749-1791
