Nursing the Spawn of a Tyrant or Frenchmen Sick of the Breed

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Nursing the Spawn of a Tyrant or Frenchmen Sick of the Breed

1811

Thomas Rowlandson (British, 1756–1827)

The Empress Marie Louise, Austrian princess and second wife of Napoleon, is so appalled by her son Napoleon II's behavior that a bishop gives her a glass of "composing draught." The child's features resemble those of his father, who looks on. The print is one of many anti-Napoleonic caricatures published by British artists during the lengthy wars between Britain and France, when no opportunity was lost to invent propaganda that amplified British virtue and denigrated French power.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Nursing the Spawn of a Tyrant or Frenchmen Sick of the Breed
From Tegg's Caricatures (London, c. 1811)

Date:

1811

Artist:

Thomas Rowlandson (British, 1756–1827)

Medium:

Hand-colored etching

Dimensions:

Plate: 13 11/16 x 9 3/4 inches (34.8 x 24.7 cm) Sheet: 15 15/16 x 10 1/4 inches (40.5 x 26 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

The William H. Helfand Collection, 1988

Accession Number:

1988-102-122

Geography:

Made in London, England, Europe

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