Spanish-patriots attacking the French-banditti [graphic] : loyal Britons lending a lift / Js. Gillray invt. & fect.

[London] : Publishd. August 15th, 1808, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, [15 August 1808]

1 print : etching & aquatint ; plate mark 27.4 x 40 cm, on sheet 33.5 x 44 cm

wove paper

Title etched below image.

From a collection in twelve volumes probably compiled by Francis Harvey and sold at auction, Sotheby, London, June 1900. Bequest of Hugh Dudley Auchincloss to Yale University Library, 1981. Bound by Riviere & Son in three-quarters red morocco with gold tooling and gold lettering on spine.

"A battle scene in a mountain valley. The Spanish forces are on the left, at the base of a precipitous mountain on which are guns firing at the opposite hill, up which French troops, tiny figures, are fleeing in confusion. In the foreground (l.) a monk is pushing a rammer down the mouth of a cannon, while two elaborately dressed and meretricious-looking Spanish ladies hold cannon-balls. One has a bloodstained dagger hanging from her waist. A Spaniard wearing a star is about to put a match to the touch-hole. On the r. a British grenadier, trim, plump, and whiskered composedly bayonets at one thrust two men at the head of a file of terrified and grotesque French soldiers. He tramples on a tricolour flag inscribed 'Invincible Legion'. In the centre nuns advance to the attack with raised daggers- th foremost is about to strike down a terrified French officer, whom she grasps by the hair. One holds up a crucifix. The Spanish forces in the middle distance advance at the base of the mountain, led by a fat monk on horseback blowing a trumpet. Behind him rides a bishop holding a sword and crosier. Other Spanish soldiers, advancing in close formation, have swords and spears. Their banners are (r. to left.) 'La Morte ou la Victoire'; 'Vive le Rot Ferdinand VII'; 'Sainte Vierge' with the Virgin, with a sword in her right. hand and the Child in her left. arm; 'Victoire Espagnol'; 'Vive la Libert[é]'. The troops on the mountain have a large cross and a banner: 'Libert[y] & Loyalt[y]'. The very numerous French soldiers, except for a grotesque group in the foreground (r.) advancing terrified against the single British soldier, are on a tiny scale, and are in headlong flight, uphill. On their banners are the words 'Vive le Roi Joseph' and 'Dupont'. In the foreground on the extreme left. are barrels of British Gunpowder, symbols, like the grenadier, of British aid (see BM Sat 11003, &c.). Clouds of smoke rise from the battle and float to the right."--British Museum online catalogue.

English

June 10, 2015