Description
- Abstract:
- Now on Elba, Napoleon's overreaching demonstrates itself as madness. Here his imperial trappings are replaced by a makeshift crown and scepter fashioned from bundles of hay. Napoleon stands making a grand proclamation of sovereignty while he lights a straw cannon, aimed at straw opponents who wear sashes and medals identifying them as "Russia," "Prussia," "Austria," and "Sweden." Papers scattered on the ground reveal his "Project to invade the Moon" and large grants of money from the senate. A caretaker stands behind Napoleon and cautions him to take care of his "playthings." Napoleon retorts with a command, while a frightened fisherman watching from the shore flees the scene.
- Notes:
- This print is unsigned. It may have been engraved by one of the Cruikshank family.
- Caption: "So high he's mounted in his airy Throne,/ That now the wind has got into his Head,/ And turns his brain to Frenzy. -- Dryden."
- Dialogue: Napoleon's caretaker: "Ah Diable Mai you was/ burn Le Matereiel, you burn your playtings"
- Dialogue: Napoleon: "Now these fellows shall know what/ the Conqueror of the World can do/ Corporal! D___ you Sir! don't you/ blow up the bridge till I/ order you."
- Dialogue: Fisherman: "He will frighten all the fish and burn/ my boat I'll be off in time."
- Inscription: Pubd April 20th, 1814 by/ S W Fores No. 50 Piccadilly.
- Inscription: Project to invade the/ Moon and...
- Inscription: Grant of the/ Senate.../ 600,000...
- Label(s): Elba Babel
Access Conditions
- Rights
- No Copyright - United States
- Restrictions on Use
- Collection is open for research.
Citation
"Boney at Elba or a madman's amusement"
(1814).
Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Napoleonic Satires from the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:232056/
Relations
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