"Scene in an English court of law. The judge, Blücher, wearing a legal wig with regimentals, stands up with left arm extended, addressing Napoleon, who crouches in the dock (right), handkerchief in hand, pleading for mercy. Beside the judge are the sovereigns of Europe, two on his right, three on his left, all gazing at the prisoner. In the well of the court aged and grotesque counsel, typical of Rowlandson's lawyers, surround the green-covered table. The jury (left) have stupid, morose, or astonished expressions. The usher, with a long rod, seated on a raised chair, faces the jury on the opposite side of the court. Corpulent constables with staves stand beside and in front of the dock. Freely sketched spectators look down from a crowded gallery above the dock. Almost all eyes are on the prisoner, behind whom stand the Devil, with folded arms, fiercely gloating over his victim. Behind the usher is a high white screen on which Napoleon's offences are inscribed: 'NAPOLEAN BONAPARTE The first and last by the Wrath of Heaven Ex Emperor of the Jacobins & head Runner of Runaways [see British Museum Satires No. 12192], Stands indicted 1ts [sic] for the Murder of Captain Wright in the Temple at Paris 2d for the murder of the Duke Dangulem [d'Enghien] Pichegrew & Georges 3 for the Murder of Palm Hoffer &c & 4th for the murder of the 12 inhabitants of Moscow 5th for inumerable Robberies committed on all Nations in Christendom & elsewhere, 6th for Bigamy & lastly for returning from Transportation, and setting the World in an uproar.' Blücher says fiercely: "You Nap Boneparte being found Guilty of all these Crimes it is fell to my lot to pronounce Sentence of Death on You--You are to be hung by the Neck for one hour till you are Dead, Dead, Dead, & your Body to be chained to a Mill Stone & sunk in the Sea at Torbay." Napoleon says: "Oh cruel Blucher, Oh! cruel Wellington it is you that have brought me to this End. Oh Magnanimous Emperors Kings & Princes intercede for me and spare my life; and give me time to attone for all my Sins, My Son Napoleon the Second will reward you for Mercy shewn me." The sovereigns are poorly characterized. On the extreme left is Alexander, next him and on Blücher's right is the Prince Regent. On Blücher's left is Louis XVIII. Next (?) the King of Prussia, then the Emperor of Austria; next, the Pope with clasped hands, wearing his tiara. On the extreme right is (?) Ferdinand of Spain looking through an eye-glass."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Europe's injuries revenged
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on bottom edge., Temporary local subject terms: Courtrooms -- Judges -- Military uniform: Regimentals --Lawyers -- Ushers -- Constables -- Constables' staves -- Devils -- Satan -- Popes -- Trials., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Alexander--I,--Emperor of Russia,--1777-1825--Caricatures and cartoons., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Blücher, Gebhard Leberecht von,--1742-1819--Caricatures and cartoons., Ferdinand--I,--Emperor of Austria,--1793-1875--Caricatures and cartoons., Ferdinand--VII,--King of Spain,--1784-1833--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick William--III,--King of Prussia,--1770-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., George--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1762-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Louis--XVIII,--King of France,--1755-1824--Caricatures and cartoons., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., and Pius--VII,--Pope,--1742-1823--Caricatures and cartoons.
"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:
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. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Alexander--I,--Emperor of Russia,--1777-1825--Caricatures and cartoons., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Francis--I,--Emperor of Austria,--1768-1835--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick William--III,--King of Prussia,--1770-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Gustav--IV Adolf,--King of Sweden,--1778-1837--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., John--VI,--King of Portugal,--1767-1826--Caricatures and cartoons., Joseph Bonaparte,--King of Spain,--1768-1844--Caricatures and cartoons., Mustafa--IV,--Sultan of the Turks,--1779-1808--Caricatures and cartoons., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., and Pius--VII,--Pope,--1742-1823--Caricatures and cartoons.
