Ci-devant occupations -- or -- Madame Talian and the Empress of Josephine dancing naked before Barrass in the winter of 1797 -- A fact! --

British Museum catalogue: "In the center of the design the two women dance, veiled by transparent drapery which is framed by a heavy festooned curtain. On the [left], in full light, sits Barras, lolling tipsily in an ornate armchair. On the [right], in shadow, Bonaparte lifts the curtain to stare intently at Josephine. The women are naked, except for gartered stockings,slippers, bracelets, and barbaric ear-rings." This is an uncolored version of the print. British Museum catalogue: "In the center of the design the two women dance, veiled by transparent drapery which is framed by a heavy festooned curtain. On the [left], in full light, sits Barras, lolling tipsily in an ornate armchair. On the [right], in shadow, Bonaparte lifts the curtain to stare intently at Josephine. The women are naked, except for gartered stockings,slippers, bracelets, and barbaric ear-rings." This is an uncolored version of the print. Pub'd Feb'y 20th 1805. by H. Humphrey St James's Street London. British Museum catalogue: "A grossly libellous satire based on the facts of Napoleon's infatuation with Josephine in 1796 when she and Mme Tallien were protegées of Barras, and the command of the Army of Italy which he obtained through Barras as a result of his marriage in 1796." Caption: Barrass (then in Power) being tired of Josephine, promissed Buonaparte a promotion, on condition that he would take her off his hands; -- Barrass had, as usual, drank freely, & placed Buonaparte behind a Screen, while he amused himself with these two Ladies, who were then his humble dependents, -- Madame Talian is a beautiful Woman, tall & elegant; -- Josephine is smaller & thin, with bad Teeth, something like Cloves, -- it is needless to add that Buonaparte accepted the Promotion & the Lady, -- now, -- Empress of France! Inscription: Egypt; Commission pour Buonaparte, Barrass Inscription: Messalina Label(s): Burgundy; Mareschino