"A (tricolour) top with the head of Napoleon spins, above the ground, savagely lashed by representatives of the Allies. His arms and his legs have already been severed from his body, now represented only by the madly spinning top. The most violently active is Blücher (left) stripped to the shirt, his coat and hat thrown on a drum on the extreme left, beside which lie his gloves and baton. Facing them is Wellington (right) equally effective, stern, but less savage. Full-face, and immediately behind the top is the Tsar, left hand on hip; his whip is inscribed 'Knout'. Between him and Wellington is Schwarzenberg (or Francis I). Bernadotte stands rather behind, between Blücher and Alexander, both hands on his hips; he holds a whip but is an amused spectator. Behind (right) the future King of Holland, crowned and wearing a star, but dressed in the breeches and jacket of the Dutchman in English caricature, sits under a tree on a cask of 'Hollands'. He watches delightedly, holding up one of Napoleon's legs inscribed 'United Netherlands'. The other leg, the thigh inscribed 'Swisslad, the boot Italy, lies near Blücher. At Wellington's feet is the right arm inscribed Spain & Portugal'; the left arm, inscribed 'Germany', is near Schwarzenberg. Napoleon's orb and (broken) sceptre lie near him, with some of the feathers from the large hat which is still on his head; his horrified and shrieking profile faces Blücher. In the background (left) is a road along which a carriage drives off, drawn by four galloping horses. It contains tiny figures: Marie Louise, crowned and looking behind her, and the little King of Rome also crowned and waving a sceptre. Two soldiers are on the box, two others sit behind. In the air behind Bernadotte a demon flies off to the left, with Joseph Bonaparte clutching his barbed tail. The latter, his crown flying off, looks back horrified, exclaiming "O! My poor Brother Nap oh oh! O!"."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Artist "G.H." identified as George Humphrey in the British Museum catalogue., and On verso, light impression of offsetting from another print.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 11th, 1814, by H. Humphrey, St. James's Strt
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825, Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway, 1763-1844, Bonaparte, François-Charles-Joseph, Herzog von Reichstadt, 1811-1832, Marie Louise, Empress, consort of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1791-1847, Schwarzenberg, Karl Philipp, Fürst zu, 1771-1820, Blücher, Gebhard Leberecht von, 1742-1819, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, Francis I, Emperor of Austria, 1768-1835, Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, 1768-1844, Joachim Murat, King of Naples, 1767-1815, and William I, King of the Netherlands, 1772-1843
Subject (Topic):
Campaigns of 1813-1814, Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, Carriages & coaches, Crowns, Demons, Emperors, Kings, Military uniforms, Tops (Toys), Victories, War allies, and Whipping
"The sovereigns of Europe, &c, watch from their seats in a bull-ring the Spanish bull tossing Napoleon above its head. The point of his sword projects from the ferocious animal's shoulder; he holds his broken sword, dripping blood, and has a badly gashed thigh. His cocked hat and a paper, 'Plan pour Assujettir le Monde' [cf. BMSat 10599, &c.], fall to the ground. A broken collar inscribed 'Corsican Chain' is round the bull's neck, a few links of a heavy chain still attached to it. The bull tramples on and befouls Joseph Bonaparte, who lies on his back, moribund or dead, in his rightoyal robes, the crown falling from his head; under his hand is a torn paper: 'Coronation de Joseph Boanaparte Rex Espagnol-Gibraltar-&c. Nap'. Three bulls, previously disposed of by the Corsican Matador, and horribly gashed, lie on the ground (r.), bellowing. A butcher's ticket is affixed to each: 'Prussian Bull Beef', 'Dutch Bull Beef', 'Danish Bull Beef'. They are [marginal note] "Wounded Bulls bellowing for help-." The barrier, an arc of which frames the arena, is inscribed 'Theatre Royale de I'Europe'. Behind it, and along the upper margin of the design, sit the sovereigns. On the extreme left. is George III, in military uniform, holding a trident (emblem of sea-power), and peering down impassively through his glass; the back of his (coronation) chair is partly visible. Next him is (?) the Emperor of Austria, gripping the edge of the barrier with a gauntleted hand and with the hilt of his sword projecting from his right. hand. Next John, the Regent of Portugal holds up his hat in exultation; he clutches a bottle of 'Vin de Brazil' [see BMSat 10960, &c.]. Next him, the Tsar, his head encircled by the words 'Alexr the Great', bites the corner of a feathered tricorne in his agitation. The King of Prussia grasps a feathered cocked hat, and puts his hand to his mouth. The bellicose King of Sweden wears a fur-trimmed tunic and a fur cap, with a star, inscribed 'Polar Star' [the Swedish order]. Two pistols are thrust through his belt. Next is the Pope, wearing his tiara, and holding up his cross; before him is a paper: 'The Bull for Excommunicating the Corsican Usurper'. He is supported from behind by the Sultan wearing a jewelled turban; behind the latter is the Dey of 'Algiers' [the word etched across his turban]."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Corsican-matador in danger
Description:
Title etched below image., Text above image: "The Spanish Bull is so remarkable for spirit that unless the matador strikes him dead at the first blow, the bull is sure to destroy him." Vide Barretti's Travels., Watermark: J. Whatman., and Mounted on leaf 56 of volume 6 of 12.
Publisher:
Publish'd July 11th, 1808, by H. Humphrey, St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, 1768-1844, George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Francis I, Emperor of Austria, 1768-1835, John VI, King of Portugal, 1767-1826, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825, Frederick William III, King of Prussia, 1770-1840, Gustav IV Adolf, King of Sweden, 1778-1837, Pius VII, Pope, 1742-1823, and Mustafa IV, Sultan of the Turks, 1779-1808
V. 5. Caricature magazine, or, Hudibrastic mirror.
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
"Napoleon is being drummed out of France. His right wrist is tied to the left wrist of Joseph Bonaparte; they are led forward, abjectly crouching, by Blücher, who holds the rope attached to the noose round Napoleon's neck. Napoleon has long ass's ears and wears a fool's cap inscribed 'Transported for Life'; his brother's cocked hat is inscribed 'Coward and Thief'. Both are assailed by serpentine monsters, barbed and scaly, which bite their legs, one inscribed 'Execration', the other 'Detestation'. Both wear uniform with the coats without epaulets and cut off at the waist. Blücher carries against his shoulder a long pole on which is a placard: 'Napolean, Late Emperor of the French, King of Italy Protecter of the Confederation of the Rhine, Grand Arbiter of the fate of Nations &c &c &c but now by the permission of the Allied Sovereigns, Exile in the Isle of Elba an Outcast from Society a fugitive a Vagabond. Yet this is the conceited Mortal who said, I have never been seduced by prosperity Adversity will not be able to overcome me--' Behind (left) the sovereigns of Europe gleefully dance in a ring, holding hands, round two flag-staffs from which float two large flags, the Bourbon flag dotted with fleur-de-lis and inscribed 'Rejoice O ye Kings Vive le Roi'; on the other is a flag with the double-headed eagle of Austria or Russia. The monarchs wear crowns; with them is the Pope, wearing his tiara. Next him is the corpulent Louis XVIII, one arm round the Pope's shoulder. Of the others only William of Holland can be identified with certainty; he wears bulky Dutch breeches with an ermine cloak. There are five others, three must be the Tsar, Emperor of Austria, King of Prussia. The others are probably Ferdinand of Spain and Ferdinand of Sicily. They sing: 'Now we are met a Jolly set in spite of Wind or Weather'. The three foreground figures are faced by a row of soldiers beating drums, with an officer raising his sword."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Four lines of verse below image, two on either side of title: From fickle fortune's gamesome lap, what various titles flow, the Emperor of Conj rors, Nap, the King of Beggars Joe!, Plate numbered "321" in upper right corner., Plate from: Woodward, G.M. Caricature magazine, or Hudibrastic mirror. London : Thomas Tegg, [1808?], v. 5., Watermark: 1817., and Leaf 19 in volume 5.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 15, 1814, by Thos. Tegg, No. 111 Cheapside
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, 1768-1844, Blücher, Gebhard Leberecht von, 1742-1819, Pius VII, Pope, 1742-1823, Louis XVIII, King of France, 1755-1824, William I, King of the Netherlands, 1772-1843, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825, Frederick William III, King of Prussia, 1770-1840, Francis I, Emperor of Austria, 1768-1835, Ferdinand VII, King of Spain, 1784-1833, and Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies, 1751-1825
