Je Fume en Pleurant mes Péchés

Napoleon sits on a rocky ledge at the shore of his island exile, St. Helena. He is shown in a stiff frontal pose and dominates the center of the image. In his left hand he displays a sheet of paper on which is written, "Mes derniers reflexions de 1815." In his right hand he holds a long pipe, the bowl of which is formed by an upside-down eagle. Although he stares ahead with impassive eyes, his emotions are made apparent in the tears that stream down his cheeks. On the right of the sheet, rats, reputed to overrun the island, stand guard behind Napoleon. Behind them a fortress set on a cliff flies a British flag. On the left horizon, a British ship, perhaps the vessel that brought Napoleon to St. Helena, sails off the sheet. Napoleon sits on a rocky ledge at the shore of his island exile, St. Helena. He is shown in a stiff frontal pose and dominates the center of the image. In his left hand he displays a sheet of paper on which is written, "Mes derniers reflexions de 1815." In his right hand he holds a long pipe, the bowl of which is formed by an upside-down eagle. Although he stares ahead with impassive eyes, his emotions are made apparent in the tears that stream down his cheeks. On the right of the sheet, rats, reputed to overrun the island, stand guard behind Napoleon. Behind them a fortress set on a cliff flies a British flag. On the left horizon, a British ship, perhaps the vessel that brought Napoleon to St. Helena, sails off the sheet. The registry date cited by Clerc is Sept. 16, 1815. As the authors of 'Napoleon im Spiegel' have noted, the word 'fume' [smoke] has a double meaning intended here: that is, in smoking his pipe, Napoleon is also 'fuming' with anger. Inscription: Se vend à Paris chez Genty, Rue St. Jacques, No. 14. Inscription: Déposé au Bureau des Estampes.