paix de L'Europe La peace of Europe The Beaublé active 1773-1814 engraver Desrais, Claude-Louis 1746-1816 draftsman Tassaert, Jean Joseph François 1765-1835 engraver Paris fr 1814 1 print; 35 x 25 cm This sophisticated satire shows the end of Napoleon's rule as emperor. On the right of the image, the hand of God descends from a cloud bank to forcefully remove Napoleon from this imperial throne, which is situated on a raised dais. Napoleon grips the arm of his throne and turns over his left shoulder to scowl at the force that propels him to his feet. As he rises, his crown falls from his head and is zapped by a bolt of lightning that issues from the sky. Another bolt is directed at the scepter he holds in his right hand. An angel bearing a peace lily and an olive branch descends on the left side of the image. He hovers over a brilliant sunrise that breaks on the distant horizon. Directly beneath him, a Devil waits to receive Napoleon in his fiery chasm. The Devil stands at the base of the steps leading to Napoleon's throne. He holds his arms outstretched and he leans forward in anticipation. Like many other satires against Napoleon, this one comments on the illegitimacy of Napoleon's rule. The specific context of its publication by Beaublé, the "Graveur du Roi," (engraver to the King), carries specific meaning for the French royal line. Louis XVIII was a Bourbon and descended from the self-styled line of Sun Kings that preceded him. Louis XVIII invokes the doctrine of divine right and re-appropriates the solar iconography Napoleon absorbed in his own quest for legitimacy. The verses at the bottom of the sheet celebrate the Angel of Peace, who brings an end to the destruction of Napoleon's wars. While the angel is represented as an allegorical figure, he is perhaps also Louis XVIII, who brings a return to the divinely sanctioned monarchy. The designations next to the names indicate that Beaublé originated the idea (or the general design) for the print. Desrais drew the satire as it was to be engraved. Tassart is the engraver of the satire. Inscribed on the bottom left of the sheet: "A Paris chez Beaublé; Graveur du Roi, rue St. Severin, No. 18." Inscribed on the bottom right of the sheet: "Déposé à la Direction générale de la Librarie." A Paris chez Beaublé Graveur du Roi, rue St Severin, no 18 Déposé a la Direction générale de la Librairie Beaublé; invt. Desrais Del. Tassart Sculpt. Le voilà donc celui qui Troublait L'Univers,/ Qui changeait les Cités en des vastes déserts!/ D'un Thrône qu'il souillait, il tombe enfin, l'infâme!/ Le Ciel l'en précipite, et L'Enfer le réclame. Des régions du Nord, tu viens Ange de paix;/ Ton nom vivra toujours dans le coeur des Français:/ Leurs voeux sous tes drapeaux appellaient la victoire;/ Tu voulais la bonheur, ils ont voulu ta gloire. Le Lys brille en tes mains, le Lys de ses honneurs/ Dépouillé par les vents; flétri par leurs fureurs/ Au sol natal rendu par la Plage étrangère/ Il renait: avec lui, renait la France entiere. V H. Napoleon I, Emperor of the French 1769-1821 Caricatures and cartoons Napoleonic Satires 2 http://dl.lib.brown.edu/napoleon FrBH 1814 mf-6 John Hay Library 1130417770664580 still image No Copyright - United States Collection is open for research.