Egyptian sketches

In the foreground of this image, two sphinxes flank a large scalloped plaque with an inscription. These sphinxes, here relegated to decorative supports, are drawn in profile and wear French military hats. Immediately behind them is a pyramid with two figures scrambling up the right side. One figure, half monkey, half man, wears a French uniform and extends his arm to place a red liberty hat on the peak of the pyramid. The other figure, a fool, nude except for a jester's hat, holds a scepter with a donkey's head and tugs at the coat of the climbing monkey/man. Several other pyramids are visible in the distance. Sheet folded on all four borders; condition is otherwise very good. In the foreground of this image, two sphinxes flank a large scalloped plaque with an inscription. These sphinxes, here relegated to decorative supports, are drawn in profile and wear French military hats. Immediately behind them is a pyramid with two figures scrambling up the right side. One figure, half monkey, half man, wears a French uniform and extends his arm to place a red liberty hat on the peak of the pyramid. The other figure, a fool, nude except for a jester's hat, holds a scepter with a donkey's head and tugs at the coat of the climbing monkey/man. Several other pyramids are visible in the distance. Sheet folded on all four borders; condition is otherwise very good. Published by Hannah Humphrey, 1799-03-12. British Museum, BM 9355. As the inscription on the pyramid indicates, this sheet was the title page for a set of six prints satirizing Napoleon's 'Expedition to Egypt' (BM nos. 9356-61). The satires reference the publication of Copies of Original Letters from the Army of General Bonapart in Egypt Intercepted by the Fleet. This intercepted correspondance detailed the discontent of French officers in Egypt. According to George, the letters were circulated broadly in French and German editions and were an important reference for the Egyptian Campaign. Caption: Egyptian Sketches, extracted from the Portfolio of an ingenious young Artist, attached to the Institut National at CAIRO, which was found on board a Tartane intercepted on its Voyage to Marseilles, --The Situations in which the Artist occasionally represents his Countrymen are a sufficient proof on an Impartiality and Fidelity, which cannot be too much commended;--indeed, we must suspect that his view of the Flagitious absurdities of his Countrymen in Egypt, is nearly similar to ours, and that he took this method of pourtraying them, under the seal of confidence to his Correspondent at PARIS.