Democratic glory ; Democratic consolations

Democratic glory ; Democratic consolations

Item Information

Title:
Democratic glory ; Democratic consolations
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 Glory. Buonaparte as Grand Consul of France receiving the adulations of Jacobin Sycophants & Parasites: He sits enthroned, wearing the dress and plumed hat of a Director. In his left hand is a sceptre on which is poised a figure of Fame. The high back of the throne is framed by two palm-trees, above it an eagle clutches a sheaf of thunderbolts and a terrestrial globe, indicating world domination. On his right kneel members of the Legislative Body. Opposite them (right) three men prostrate themselves, in grovelling servility. Beside them are men standing with bowed heads. At the back of the throne ranks of grenadiers stand at attention with fixed bayonets. A censer burns before Bonaparte. Sieyès peeps furtively from behind the throne, a finger to his nose. The satire shows knowledge of the new French Constitution (1799). Sieyès, however, was relegated to the conservative Senate, he and Ducos being the two first Senators. [Right] Democratic Consolations. Buonaparte on his Couch surrounded by the Ghosts of the Murder'd - the dangers which threaten his Usurpation, and all the Horrors of Final Retribution: He lies asleep on a truckle-bed whose head is a guillotine, through which looks a grinning demon, his hand on its cord. From under the bed Death with a spear looks up at Bonaparte, a hissing serpent beside him. Clouds and the flames of Hell, filled with minute demons, billow towards him from the left. From the clouds issue a hand holding out a pistol and a woman's hand with a cup of poison. In the background are close ranks of tiny ghosts. These include a bishop pierced by a dagger, a headless man holding his skull and wearing the order of St. Louis (? Louis XVI), a headless woman, a woman with an infant, a monk, a Turk (BM).
Artist:
Gillray, James, 1756-1815
Name on Item:
Gillray delt.
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
Politicians
Thrones
Bowing
Sleeping
Demons
Fires
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
Sieyès, Emmanuel Joseph, comte, 1748-1836
Places:
France
Extent:
2 prints on 1 sheet : hand-colored etching ; plate mark 22 x 29 cm
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z111m578
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_000090
Barcode:
36666004443640