Nicolas dansant l'Anglaise (NAPOLEON 86)

After losing the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was forced to (figuratively) dance to the tune of the victors. The artist illustrates his plight by showing him on stage in his uniform, precariously balanced with one hand behind his back and the other holding a riding crop. The island of St. Helena, where he is soon to be exiled, is in the background. The orchestra is led by the British General Wellington, seated with his back to us. Orchestra members consist of leaders of other Allied nations: the cellist is Francis I of Austria, the violinist Frederick William of Prussia; and the flutist Alexander I of Russia. Napoleon dances the "L'Anglaise" or contredance, the most popular French dance of the period which was based on the English country dance. The caption identifies him as Nicolas, reflecting a popular but untrue rumor that his given name was Antoine-Nicolas but that he had changed it to "Napoleon" to have a grander name.

Reference source: Clerc #158.

Also found in the De Vinck Collection (#9361) in the Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris).

Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852