print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.7534
- Title
- Object: A characteristic design. | For the | Arms of Buonaparte.
- Description
-
The shield has six compartments, one quasi-heraldic, the others tiny scenes, skilfully engraved. In place of a crest is a terrestrial globe above which is an irradiated crown contrasting with dark clouds which partly hide the globe. Two standards project symmetrically from the globe, one inscribed 'Rapacity', the other 'Hypocrisy'. Two arms embrace the globe; the left hand replaces the (broken) staff and cap of Liberty by a little flag: 'Tyranny'; the r. hand grasps a dagger. The motto: 'The Wages of Sin is Death'.
The Supporters are: dexter, Death, a skeleton, crowned, and holding out an hour-glass and with a scythe in the r. hand. On a scroll above his head: 'Manus Hæc Inimica Tyrannis'. Sinister: the Devil, holding out a cap-shaped crown, bristling with spikes or thorns, and with a tall trident against his left. shoulder on which is spiked a paper inscribed 'Ambition'. He is nude, with barbed tail, small webbed wings, long talons; a serpent is knotted round his waist. His motto is 'Sub Hoc Signo Vinces' [see BMSat 10416].
The quarterings: [1] Divided per saltire with a mushroom on a dunghill at the point of intersection. Above, a tiger; below, a crocodile (emblem of treachery, &c, see BMSat 10369); dexter and sinister a hand and a heart. [2] A torch-light scene in a wood, the shooting of d'Enghien (see BMSat 10251). [3] Napoleon, on horseback, orders his troops to kill defenceless Turks. Behind are domes and minarets (see BMSat 10062). [4] Napoleon, crowned, enthroned, and holding a sword, arrogantly holds out a document towards a file of suppliants, headed by the Pope, who proffers his cross and keys. The others are a German, a Dutchman, a Spaniard (kneeling), and a Turk. Through the arches of a colonnade are seen troops standing at attention (cf. BMSat 10602). [5] A large military hospital with men in half-tester beds. Napoleon, sword in hand, orders the doctor to administer opium (see BMSat 10063). The Devil points with his forefinger to this scene. [6] A prison scene: men murder or torture a man in bed, evidently Captain Wright; Napoleon stands in the doorway (see BMSat 11053, &c.). 10 March 1807
Etching
- Production date
- 1807
- Dimensions
-
Height: 303 millimetres
-
Width: 251 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VIII, 1947)
One of several heraldic satires on Napoleon; BMSat 11057 is an altered an elaborated version, with a printed explanation.
Broadley, ii. 235 f.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.7534
