Le jour de barbe

Hand-colored engraving (by Levanchez, August 19, 1815). 'One of Post-Waterloo French prints. Napoleon sits in profile to the right facing an elaborate wash-stand in the form of a secretaire (of Empire shape), before a mirror reflecting his gloomy countenance. He sharpens a razor (with a damaged blade) on a hone. Wellington stands behind him, placing his right hand on his shoulder, while he sponges his head; he says, punningly: "Il voulait nous faire la queue mais nous lui lavons la tète." (He wanted to trick us, but we give him a good head-washing, i.e. scolding.) Wellington wears uniform, with cocked hat, breeches and boots in place of the trousers common in French caricature of this date. Napoleon wears uniform coat with a ribbon across the shoulder, with breeches, silk stockings, and buckled shoes, in place of the usual jack-boots (suggesting that the issue has shifted from the field to diplomacy or perhaps representing Napoleon's dress (apart from the ribbon) in the 'Bellerophon'). On the lowered flap of the wash-stand are a soap-ball in a bowl, a sheath for the hone, and a brush. The right side of the wash-stand, which is surmounted by two imperial eagles, is open, with recess and shelves for jug, basin, and tumblers of ornate pattern. Behind Wellington is a shallow basin on a stand with a fringed cover. The room is pilastered' -- British Museum Hand-colored engraving (by Levanchez, August 19, 1815). 'One of Post-Waterloo French prints. Napoleon sits in profile to the right facing an elaborate wash-stand in the form of a secretaire (of Empire shape), before a mirror reflecting his gloomy countenance. He sharpens a razor (with a damaged blade) on a hone. Wellington stands behind him, placing his right hand on his shoulder, while he sponges his head; he says, punningly: "Il voulait nous faire la queue mais nous lui lavons la tète." (He wanted to trick us, but we give him a good head-washing, i.e. scolding.) Wellington wears uniform, with cocked hat, breeches and boots in place of the trousers common in French caricature of this date. Napoleon wears uniform coat with a ribbon across the shoulder, with breeches, silk stockings, and buckled shoes, in place of the usual jack-boots (suggesting that the issue has shifted from the field to diplomacy or perhaps representing Napoleon's dress (apart from the ribbon) in the 'Bellerophon'). On the lowered flap of the wash-stand are a soap-ball in a bowl, a sheath for the hone, and a brush. The right side of the wash-stand, which is surmounted by two imperial eagles, is open, with recess and shelves for jug, basin, and tumblers of ornate pattern. Behind Wellington is a shallow basin on a stand with a fringed cover. The room is pilastered' -- British Museum