Democratic gratitude ; Democratic religion

Democratic gratitude ; Democratic religion

Item Information

Title:
Democratic gratitude ; Democratic religion
Description:
Two panels from a sequence of eight designs, arranged in two rows, titled "Democracy - or - a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte." [Left] Democratic Gratitude. Buonaparte heading the Regicide Banditti which had dethron'd & Murder'd the Monarch, whose bounty had foster'd him: Bonaparte stands in back-view directing with outstretched sword the demolition and plundering of a stone building, already on fire. A man with an axe on a ladder smashes a royal escutcheon. Plunderers issue (right) carrying off bags, chests, etc. Plate, coins, jewels, and orders are heaped at Bonaparte's feet and an obsequious soldier empties a sack. On the left is a band of ragged soldiers with a tricolour flag. They have firebrands, a pick-axe, pikes, etc. On 13th Vendémiaire (5 Oct. 1795) Bonaparte commanded the troops by which the Convention was defended from an insurrection which was partly royalist. [Right] Democratic Religion. Buonaparte turning Turk at Cairo for Interest, after swearing on the Sacrament to support ye Catholic Faith: Bonaparte sits cross-legged on a sofa, smoking a hookah, while a Turkish priest puts a turban on his head. A fat Turk (left) reads from a book, while another whets a knife. On the right is a group of dismayed French officers. Behind are impassive Turkish priests with folded arms. An arc of an ornate tent forms a background (BM).
Artist:
Gillray, James, 1756-1815
Name on Item:
Jas. Gillray Invt.
Date:
May 12, 1800
Format:
Prints
Genre:
Etchings
Caricatures
Satires (Visual works)
Location:
Boston Public Library
Arts Department
Collection (local):
James Gillray (1756-1815). Prints and Drawings
Subjects:
Emperors
Military officers
War destruction & pillage
Smoking
Priests
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
Places:
France
Extent:
2 prints on 1 sheet : hand-colored etching ; plate mark 22 x 29 cm
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z111k77j
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Publisher:
London : Published by John Miller, Bridge Street & W. Blackwood, Edinburgh
Language:
English
Notes:
Titles from item.
BM Satires 9534; Wright/Evans 252
Additional information accompanying item: From the 1824 Gillray collection of copies, etched and published by John Miller and W. Blackwood.
"Democracy. Or, a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte" is one of those numerous productions which were at this time put forth with the object of exciting the hatred and contempt of the people of this country towards the man who had now begun to rule the destinies of France. The events of his life are here traced (Wright/Evans).
Notes (acquisition):
Gift; Louis Black; December 1953
Notes (date):
Date from Wright/Evans.
Reproduction. Date indicated is Gillray's original publication date.
Notes (citation):
Stephens, Frederic George, George, Mary Dorothy. "Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum." British Museum Press, 1870, London.
Wright, Thomas, R. H. Evans. "Historical and descriptive account of the caricatures of James Gillray." Benjamin Blom, 1968, New York.
Identifier:
18_17_000050
Barcode:
36666004443244