A review of the new Grand Army [graphic].

[London?] : [publisher not identified], [May 1815?]

1 print : etching ; plate mark 24.5 x 34.9 cm, on sheet 25.6 x 41.8 cm

wove paper

Bound in the set of five volumes, formerly owned by Henry Arthur Johnstone. Binding: red morocco with his initials stamped in gold on the front cover in a shield with crossed swords and three floral stamps above and one below; also four floral stamps on spine with volume number and spine title in gold: The caricature magazine. Leather endpapers with his ex libris blind stamped on front flyleaf -- a boat with large sail, with a cutout in the shape of the sun in upper left.

"Napoleon, scarcely caricatured, stands in the centre of the design, pointing with left forefinger to a pile of cannon-balls in the right foreground inscribed 'Forse, meat Balls for the Lads of Paris'. Just behind him, and emerging from clouds, stand the Devil (left) and Death (right), directing his actions. Napoleon is flanked by two much taller supporters: an Italian brigand holding up a pole inscribed 'Plunder' to which a limp purse is tied, and with a pistol in his left hand. On the right is a savage dishevelled butcher, holding up a knife, with a noose in the right hand. Both wear belted tunics. These three are identified by an inscription below the design: 'Capt of Starved Banditty from the Alps, Ad Camp,, The Aghast Emperor & his two Friends & Pillars of the State,, Butcher from Elba. Generalissimo'. All are dominated by a larger figure, emerging from clouds above Napoleon's head, which has a scaly body and streaming hair, styled 'Deamon of War Presideing over the Tyrant'. His extended right hand points to the words 'Boundless Ambition' in large letters on a background of fire and lightning of which he is the centre. In his left hand is the shaft of a pennant inscribed: 'We, Come, to Redres:s Grievances'. Dark clouds and lightning extend left and right over ranks of soldiers in the middle distance who watch Napoleon. Those on the right are a ragged, dilapidated, and motley crew, some with pitchforks; they shout "Vive la Empre . . . [sic]" and "Vive la Boun. . . ." Those on the left are perhaps intended for National Guards (cf. British Museum Satires No. 12531)."--British Museum online catalogue.

English

August 25, 2016

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 9, no. 12548