Subject (Topic): Tops (Toys) - Yale University Library Search Results

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1. The Corsican whipping top in full spin!!! [graphic]

Creator:: Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker
Published / Created:: [11 April 1814]
Call Number:: 814.04.11.01+
Image Count:: 1
Resource Type:: still image
Abstract:: "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
Found in:: Lewis Walpole Library > The Corsican whipping top in full spin!!! [graphic]