"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 scene is the throne-room in the Tuileries, indicated by a part of the throne on its dais on the extreme right, on which are the (discarded) throne and sceptre, and by a large whole length portrait of Louis XVIII, scowling and caricatured, inscribed 'Louis le Bien Aimé'. Napoleon as Harlequin (as in British Museum Satires Nos. 10060, 12515), in parti-coloured tights, a dagger in each hand, leaps through an opening cut in the canvas, hounded by the monarchs of Europe. The portrait (right) shows the fat king holding orb and sceptre, with eyes closed or downcast. The canvas from waist to knees of the portrait is cut neatly away, leaving the King's gouty feet resting squarely on a footstool. Just behind Harlequin is the fat King of Würtemberg on his knees (and paunch) firing a pair of pistols at the fugitive. Across his posterior is the word 'Clown'. Beside him Ferdinand of Spain falls backwards, overbalanced by an attempt to kick ; his crown falls off and he flourishes a sword. He is identified by his slashed doublet, cloak, and flapped boots. Behind (left) a fat powerful Cossack, representing Russia, prods Napoleon with his long spear. He wears a fur cap, trousers tucked into his boots, and has a pair of pistols in his belt. Farther back is the Emperor of Austria wearing a wallet inscribed 'Pantaloon'. He is bearded, slippered, spectacled, and lean, wearing a crown and a dressing-gown. He shuffles forward with clenched fists, holding a dagger. On the extreme left is the Pope, wearing a mitre and holding a headsman's axe against his shoulder. Other figures are nearer the wall which forms a background. Foremost of these is the King of Prussia, close behind Napoleon and firing a blunderbuss. Next is the grotesque Dutchman who stands for the new King of Holland, smoking a pipe, and firing a musket with a fiercely intent expression. Three unidentified crowned heads, and a sharp profile ( ? Bernadotte) with bayonets and spear, and an arm holding up a spiked club make up the crowd of attackers. One of the monarchs takes down from the wall (or hangs up) a three-quarter length portrait of 'Columbine', a young woman with a feathered hat and plump arms held akimbo. She is either Marie Louise (as in British Museum Satires No. 12515), or, according to Broadley, the Duchesse d'Angoulême, an identification supported by the position of her portrait in the same room as that of Louis XVIII."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Title etched below image., and Two lines of text below title: With entire new music, dances, dresses, scenery, machinery &c &c. The principle [sic] characters to be supported by most of the great potentates in Europe, Harlequin by Mr. Napoleon, Clown by King Wirtemberg, Pantaloon Emperor of Austria. To conclude with a comic song to be sung by the Pope and a grand chorus by the crown'd heads. Vivant Rex et Regina.
Publisher:
R. Ackermann, 101 Strand
Subject (Name):
Ackermann, Rudolph, 1764-1834, publisher., Angoulême, Marie-Thérèse Charlotte,--duchesse d',--1778-1851--Caricatures and cartoons., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Charles--XIV John,--King of Sweden and Norway,--1763-1844--Caricatures and cartoons., Ferdinand--VII,--King of Spain,--1784-1833--Caricatures and cartoons., Francis--I,--Emperor of Austria,--1768-1835--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick William--III,--King of Prussia,--1770-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick--I,--King of Württemberg,--1754-1816--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.
