A green curtain opens to uncover a scene played on the international stage. Recalling Gulliver's capture by the Lilliputians, Madame Françoise, symbol of the French nation, lies in the center of the image; her hair is disheveled and she is dressed in a loose shift. In this state of disarray, France is enchained and ravished by a swarm of small men wearing uniforms. Arms and legs shackled to the floor, she is force fed "Bourbons" by a menacing knight while other figures set about her, cutting off her clothing and removing her jewlery. On the ground in front of Mme. Françoise, a shield inscribed "Napoleon Le Grand" is broken in two, as is a lance and a crown of laurels. To the left of the image, the tricolore lays in a crumpled heap. Behind Madame Françoise and her captors, a group of soldiers stands at attention watching the scene. Forming a backdrop to the action, Cruikshank includes a vision of bewildered French citizens standing in confusion in front of the Louvre turned topsy-turvy. A group of soldiers in the right middle section carrying framed canvases, drawing folios, and "borrowed ornamants," are presumably in the process of returning pillaged goods to to their rightful owners. In the upper right corner of the sheet, John Bull looks down on the scene with vindictive approval at France's rough treatment. The figures who are responsible for France's enchainment are none other than the European monarchs and politicians who stood in staunch opposition to Napoleon. Now, they look forward to punishing France for the sins of the exiled emperor. At the left side of the image, Francis I pounds a stake into the ground; to this is attached a chain to which Alexander, the Russian Tsar, affixes a padlock. William I, in the guise of a hefty Dutchman, stoops to cut a strategic piece of Madame Françoise's shift, labled "The Netherlands." To the right of the sheet Blücher reaches into her pockets and removes a portrait medallion of Napoleon from her waist. Next to Blücher, Wellington bends, hammering a stake into the ground that holds her shackles in place.
Notes:
Published by William Hone, 1815-11-09.
Caption: Pubd. at W. Hones no. 55 Fleet St. Nov. 9, 1815
Caption: Price one shillg coloured
Caption: Pubd. Decemr I. 1813 by Tho Tegg III Cheapside
Dialogue: French citizens: "Ah! Dear me I see they have turned it inside out." "By gar! it is not like de same place as it vas."
Dialogue: John Bull: "My soul but they are befriending Mumzel France indeed!!--well I've no objection to their rendering that sort of assistance in their power, for she well deserves it! Only they didn't mention all this fun in their proclaimations!!!!"
Dialogue: Francis I : "We come to restore France to her Ancient rights and liberties."
Dialogue: Alexander I: "It is necessary that France should be great & powerfull in order to keep up the Ballance of Power for the Security of Europe" but 'tis the great I who must preponderate in this balance."
Dialogue: Castlereagh: "It delights me when I see a country enjoy her old established rights and privileges-- My Own Country to Wit."
Dialogue: Blücher: "France shall choose her own rulers only she must have the Bourbons we know what is best for her and for ourselves too."
Dialogue: Wellington: "We enter France as friends' Well I've crippled her Arms if that will do her any good."
Printed Signature: George Cruikshank fect.
Sign: Sign outside the Louvre: "In consequence of the removal of the pictures & other things, the public are respectfully informed that this building will in the future be used as a Bastile- artists are therefore invited to send in plans of alteration, improvement, & c. , &c. NB The Holy Inquisition of Spain has kindly offered to supply the necessary instruments.
"After-peice to the tragedy of Waterloo--or--Madame François and her managers!!!"
(1815).
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:232125/
This vast digital collection of military artwork from the 16th through 20th centuries, vividly documents all aspects of military and naval history, with emphasis on the history and illustration of world military and naval uniforms from the 17th century to …
The Napoleonic satires housed in the Anne S. K. Brown Military collection of the John Hay Library represent several important gifts made to the library in the 20th century. In addition to the Napoleonic satires located in the military collection …
