The Broadbottom Leviathan trying to swamp Billy's old Boat, & the little Corsican tottering on the Clouds of Ambition After the Russian defeat at Friedland, the secret Tilsit treaties between Napoleon and Russ More
Napoleon, sitting on a low stool, creates seven soap bubbles, each representing a territory he has annexed to the Empire through military conquest. The bubbles are symbolic of the ephemeral and illusory natur More
Napoleon has fallen on his back, his sword broken, his hat on the floor, and a sailor's compass in his hand. The King of Rome, also dressed in a uniform, cries into his handkerchief at the sight of his father More
Napoleon carries into exile symbols of his broken power and of his legal works. He carries the broken "hand of justice" over his shoulder, a telescope in his hand, his Napoleonic Code under his arm,and a mass More
Flies for Safety to his darling's Arms Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815
According to Clerc, this drawing is a direct allusion to the stoutness of both Napoleon and his chief aide, Cambacérès. Reference source: Clerc #76. Broadley, on the other hand, dates it to 1800 and identifi More
ou les Causes et les Effets This drawing attributes Napoleon's downfall to having created an empire too vast for his governing skills. He is shown taking an immense stride from Madrid, represented by a cluste More
or Little Boney in a Rage This drawing refers to the British takeover of the Danish fleet in 1807. The British guessed that Napoleon would try to capture the fleet, and asked Denmark to let them take the ship More
Appearing one week after Napoleon's exile to Elba, this cartoon illustrates the imperial defeat. Napoleon walks gingerly on a bed of thorns, and one of his wings has fallen to the ground. The map of France is More
The illustrator proposes two versions of the extinction of the human race: death and the refusal to reproduce. At the left, you see Napoleon and some of his victims, his feet stained with their blood. He car More
This drawing shows France suffering under Napoleon's reign. The artist shows him perched on a woman symbolizing France, who has grey hair, a pale and wan face, her arm in a sling, and a wooden leg. She wears More
In a wooded area, we see at the left the “charge” of the royal cavalry of the Duke de Berry, which is actually in hasty retreat. Napoleon approaches from the right, carrying an olive branch, followed by his g More
Français : ou, Chaq'un Son Compte English: This drawing reflects the uncertainty regarding the rearrangement of Europe after Napoleon's abdication in April, 1814, and the limited support given to Louis XVIII. More
Français : ou Le macaroni Impérial English: Napoleon and Cambacérès are shown as two figures from the Italian Commedia del'Arte: Napoleon as Harlequin, and Cambacérès as Pulcinella. They stand on either side More
Napoleon, dressed as a harlequin, jumps from a small boat onto the island of Elba, where he sees a fort. He has a wooden sword in his belt and wears a riding boot on one foot, and a clog on the other, inscrib More
Napoleon (known as Father Violet) is improbably confessing to Louis XVIII (often represented by the lily). Louis's confessional is labeled Father Tartuffe after the character in Molière's play who was himself More
Broadley #253. Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815; Louis XVIII, King of France, 1755-1824
In the Allies campaign for France in the winter of 1814, Generals Blucher (Prussian) and Schwartzenberg (Austrian) advanced on Napoleon's two flanks, eventually defeating him. This victory forced Napoleon's f More
Français : ou, Le Départ du Grand Cyrus English: A medallion bordered in gold represents the fall and exile of Napoleon, who is shown as a man with a serpent's tail, being chased by hunting dogs toward the Br More
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 wit More
According to Clerc, this drawing shows death and the grotesque linked to the destiny of man. Napoleon is perched on the back of a monster with a hideous human head, donkey's ears, a revolutionary bonnet, and More
Français : Chateaubriand prêchant contre Napoléon (handwritten) English: No reference source found. Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 176 More
William Pitt (prime minister of England during the years of Napoleon's most successful military campaigns) is shown waking up to the fact that England was in danger from France. He is sitting up in bed, stari More
Discovered in Council--with Belzebub & Belial—a Sketch after Fuseli One of the earliest caricatures, this drawing parodies a painting by Henry Fuseli, one of a series illustrating Milton's Paradise Lost that w More
One of many caricatures about Napoleon's banishment to Elba and the restoration of the monarchy, this drawing shows Napoleon as a performing dog being directed by a very large Royalist holding a whip and a hoo More
Napoleon is shown being transported to Elba, riding the imperial eagle and surrounded by other trappings of the empire (the bees and the crowns of Italy and France). He carries the files on the many military More
La Famille de l'Empereur Napoléon Geographic coverage: France Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; Marie Louise, Empress, consort More
Two demons hold up a scroll titled A Suit in Chancery. Five lawyers crowd towards it. The one in front pushes the others back, saying "Start fair Gentlemen, if you Please" Geographic coverage: France Subject More
Napoleon and Cambacérès leave Fontainebleau for exile on the island of St. Helena. Cambacérès is ridiculed for his gluttony and homosexuality, and Napoleon for his baseness (note the dog urinating on him). Th More
This drawing is a parody of Michelangelo's Barge of Charon painting in the Sistine Chapel. In Greek mythology, Charon transported the souls of the dead across the Acheron River ("river of woe") to the underwo More
This drawing satirizes the heated debates in the Chamber of Deputies after Napoleon's return from the defeat at Waterloo. Napoleon is shown on the Mont Saint-Jean, surrounded by skulls and bones testifying to More
After his capture, Napoleon was taken on the ship Bellerophon to Torbay (England), where he was held until taken to Plymouth, where he sailed for St. Helena. Wellington is shown escorting him ashore, pointing More
Not a caricature, this etching is part of the official Napoleonic propaganda. Drawn after the Battle of Austerlitz, generally considered Napoleon's greatest victory, it shows him in his encampment planning th More
The artist denounces Napoleon's popular support by the Parisian revolutionaries during the Hundred Days. During this period, the Royalists emphasized Napoleon's ties to the most unruly revolutionaries, to dru More
Napoleon, conquered by the Allies, shows his cowardice and unworthiness in the face of the punishment that awaits him. Wellington holds him down with his knee, ignoring Napoleon’s pleas to let go of his ear. More
Louis XVIII is shown snoozing after enjoying his dinner. His crown has fallen off and the King of Rome (Napoleon's 3-year-old son) is picking it up and trying it on. Although the general assumption was that L More
In this drawing, we see the Bourbon family watching from the balcony as Napoleon easily returns from Elba. The reactions vary from "let's get out of here" to "Guard the doors." The Duchess' comment includes More
The Order of the Holy Spirit was established in 1578 and represented the highest order of chivalry in France. Because the cross that served as its insignia was hung from a blue ribbon, the members were called More
Wellington is dressed as a magician, and is performing a classic vanishing trick. There are four tumblers lying on their sides, labeled with the names of major losses by Napoleon; Wellington holds a fifth, la More
Cartoon shows Napoleon I, with winged shoes, running away from a battlefield on which there are several dead French soldiers; he carries a standard with a dead eagle hanging from the top. As he flees he looks More
This drawing refers to the revolutionary origins of Napoleon's power. Napoleon, in an elegant white-and-gold costume, prods a pile of garbage with his sword underneath an effigy of himself. He doesn't notice More
Printed the day of Napoleon's departure from Fontainebleau for Elba, this drawing shows a victorious Louis XVIII and an enraged Napoleon. Louis, deceptively slender here, holds the fleur de lys (symbol of the More
The royalists (including Chateaubriand) spread the rumor that Napoleon took lessons in how to appear "majestic." The implication was that he needed to learn how to act in the royal courts, since he didn't bel More
Napoleon is shown leaping from the Mont St. Jean (Waterloo) to the island of St. Helena. He looks terrified. On the rock beside his foot is a small wooden cross that flies a banner labeled Mont St. Jean. Th More
This drawing shows Jack Frost on the back of the bear (symbol of Russia), hurling snowballs at a fleeing Napoleon, whose hat has been knocked off. The scene takes place during a raging blizzard, where the snow More
After the disastrous Russian campaign, Napoleon left his army in early December and returned to Paris alone. He was almost unrecognizable from the hardships he had undergone, and arrived without escort at the More
The drawing shows the miserable state of Napoleon’s army as it retreated from Moscow. Napoleon was at Smolensk from November 9-11, 1813 and realized the army was in terrible shape. The soldiers are wretched More
The drawing shows John Bull looking through a telescope. Napoleon appears as the head of a comet, streaking towards the sun which has the head of George III as its center. A frog climbs up the land mass from More
(or) A New Planetary System Published at the height of Napoleon's reign, this drawing shows Britain (John Bull) sitting complacently with his pipe and tankard of ale, surrounded by the British Navy and seal. More
Napoleon is shown as a Corsican bloodhound, being chased by ferocious bears advancing on troops buried in the snow. Moscow burns in the background. From the kettle spills papers naming the disastrous results More
or...Boneys New Drop After the French defeated the Russians at the Battle of Friedland, a city on the River Niemen in western Russia, a series of meetings were held between Napoleon and Tsar Alexander. The tw More
Napoleon (the tiger) is shown leaping across the Rhine River, bleeding from multiple spear wounds and fleeing from the representatives of the allied nations. In fact, this is a distorted view of the pursuit o More
(or) Taking a View of the English Coast from the Poop of the Bellerophon For years, the English feared that Napoleon would invade England. In the end, he was defeated and was brought to England thinking he wo More
To Be Performed At The Theatre Royal Paris Published after the Treaty of Chaumont where the European Allies agreed to pursue Napoleon with a multi-national force, this drawing shows the Allies chasing him from More
or Little Boney & his Friend Talley in high Glee 1803 was a year of alarm and terror for England. It was widely believed that Napoleon planned to invade England, and didn't care how many men he lost. He was More
Raising Forses to Conquer all the World 1793 was a turning point in French history, with the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette starting the Reign of Terror. Almost all of Europe united against the re More
Henry Grattan (1746-1820) was a member of the Irish Parliament in the late 1700s, and a spokesman for the Irish nationalistic sentiment. He pushed for constitutional reform, legislative independence, and suff More
or THE DARLING ANGEL’S FINISHING STROKE Mrs. (Mary Anne) Clarke was mistress to the Duke of York, commander-in-chief in the British Navy. To support her lavish lifestyle, she took bribes from people seeking t More
Having waited until mid-October to depart for Moscow, the exhausted French army soon found itself in the midst of winter—in fact, in the midst of an unusually early and especially cold winter. Temperatures so More
Following Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena, Louis XVIII was restored to the throne as King of France but with limited power, thanks to shrewd negotiations by Talleyrand, who became prime minister. Louis was gen More
or State epicures taking un petit souper William Pitt and Napoleon, both in uniform, face each other at a dinner table, with the globe steaming like a plum pudding in the center of the table. Pitt is shown sl More
In another drawing that celebrates Britain's naval superiority, more evident than ever during the naval blockade that started in 1807, we see English and French dockyards across the water from each other. Nap More
This drawing refers to a series of blockades enacted by the British and the French in 1806/1807. The British began in May 1806 by issuing Orders in Council that placed the entire coast of Europe under a naval More
(or) Snug Winter Quarters The French advance into Russia was the beginning of the end of Napoleon's Empire. The Grand Army moved swiftly through Europe and into Russia, finally attacking Moscow. The city had More
A crowded fairground is used to show the international situation of 1807. Spectators and small attractions appear in the foreground, and larger booths on the platform. The signs are packed with allusions to More
This intricate Cruikshank drawing shows Napoleon and his headless entourage (the imperial “family”) marching from the guillotine towards the gates of Hell. A skeleton stands as a barker beside the guillotine, More
Cruikshank takes a savage look at European royalty following the exile of Napoleon to St. Helena. Napoleon is in the center, seated on a rock in the shape of a giant in the middle of a pond. Tsar Alexander s More
Published a fortnight before the Battle of Waterloo, the drawing presents three themes: that England (John Bull) can't survive the taxes necessary to go to war again, that the Regent (Prince of Wales, later Ge More
In mid-October 1813, Napoleon’s army was badly defeated at the Battle of Leipzig. Roughly 40,000 troops were killed, 30,000 captured, and the rest were forced to retreat across the Rhine, which they reached o More
This drawing shows Napoleon's oversized ambition and how it leads to his downfall. It is one of many caricatures on the consequences of the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig, generally regarded to be Napoleon' More
The grand Coronation procession of Napoleone the 1st Emperor of France Geographic coverage: France Subjects (LCTGM): Coronations--France--Drawings Subjects (LCSH): Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
This famous drawing satirizes the Champ de Mai 1815, a grand ceremony and parade held in front of the Ecole Militaire during the Hundred Days of Napoleon's return. After a parade of 50,000 soldiers and a 600- More
Near the end of Napoleon's reign, he was often identified with the Devil. Napoleon is perched on the shoulders of the Devil, whose tail has the form of a snake with its teeth into Napoleon's arm. Napoleon is More
The title of this caricature is a play on words: The verb essuyer, which means to wipe, has a secondary meaning of to suffer a loss or reproach. Thus the title can be translated "He wipes out his failures" o More
Another expression of Royalist sentiment, this drawing links Napoleon inexorably to the Revolutionaries, with whom he was close when he was a young general and who constituted his most fervent supporters durin More
Published right after Waterloo, this caricature refers at once to a popular card game and to a pro-Bonaparte newspaper founded in December 1814. After Napoleon's fall, the newspaper's founder sought refuge in More
The fédérés were delegates to a grand celebration on Bastille Day 1790, honoring the fall of the Bastille the previous year. By the time of this cartoon, the term was used more generally to refer to the more More
On April 22, 1815, the Empire adopted an amendment to the constitution called the "Acte additionale", which is mocked in this caricature. Napoleon sits in a chair decorated with bees, symbol of his Empire. H More
Quite obviously published after Napoleon's defeat by Wellington at Waterloo, this is one of several caricatures showing Napoleon dancing to the tune of the English. Wellington has Napoleon on a leash and hold More
The artist criticizes the support of the fédérés (Parisian revolutionary ruffians) for Napoleon during the Hundred Days. The ruffian grabs an aristocrat by the collar and threatens him with a club if he doesn More
Bouillotte is a card game that was invented in the salons of Luxembourg Palace. The drawing shows the stakes of Napoleon, Louis XVIII, and the Allied leaders in the days leading up to the Battle of Waterloo. More
Much of Napoleon's support was based on his bravery and battlefield prowess. One goal of the Royalist caricaturists was to counter the official propaganda that highlighted Napoleon's battlefield genius. Dest More
This drawing depicts the startled reaction of the European rulers when Napoleon escapes from Elba. They are shown in a tailor's workshop, cutting out their territory from the map of Europe. Napoleon enters, More