Josephs flight

A procession of horse-drawn wagons winds across the Spanish countryside, moving away from the city of Madrid. Standing as regal as any Roman emperor, Joseph Bonaparte rides in the front cart surrounded by young and pretty nuns. The carts that follow his are alternately loaded with golden church statues and ornaments, and bags of wine. At the left of the image, a group of Spanish citizens has turned out to celebrate his departure. Comically, Joseph mistakes their cheers for expressions of loyalty to him. In the foreground of the scene, two fat old monks mournfully observe the departure of the nuns and the church's goods. Like other Spaniards, they are rewarded with the taunts of French soldiers and by the sharp ends of the French bayonets. On the right side of the image, a group of French soldiers stands under the red banner of the Legion of Honor. Two soldiers clasp their arms around the waists of Spanish women who struggle to escape. Other soldiers in the group laugh and remark at the futility of the women's attempts to escape. Despite the confusion that reigns among the figures, the Spanish landscape of green plains and tall mountains stretches serenely across the horizon. Even the city of Madrid appears calm and ordered in the aftermath of Joseph's departure. This sheet shows evidence of having been folded vertically into quarters. A procession of horse-drawn wagons winds across the Spanish countryside, moving away from the city of Madrid. Standing as regal as any Roman emperor, Joseph Bonaparte rides in the front cart surrounded by young and pretty nuns. The carts that follow his are alternately loaded with golden church statues and ornaments, and bags of wine. At the left of the image, a group of Spanish citizens has turned out to celebrate his departure. Comically, Joseph mistakes their cheers for expressions of loyalty to him. In the foreground of the scene, two fat old monks mournfully observe the departure of the nuns and the church's goods. Like other Spaniards, they are rewarded with the taunts of French soldiers and by the sharp ends of the French bayonets. On the right side of the image, a group of French soldiers stands under the red banner of the Legion of Honor. Two soldiers clasp their arms around the waists of Spanish women who struggle to escape. Other soldiers in the group laugh and remark at the futility of the women's attempts to escape. Despite the confusion that reigns among the figures, the Spanish landscape of green plains and tall mountains stretches serenely across the horizon. Even the city of Madrid appears calm and ordered in the aftermath of Joseph's departure. This sheet shows evidence of having been folded vertically into quarters. Published for the Proprietors of Town Talk. 1812-09-01 Caption: Pubd Octor 1st 1812 for the Proprietors of Town Talk Dialogue: Figure group in the middle left: (l. to r.) Celebrating citizen: "Deo Gratuos! They are going! they are going!" Citizen who has been poked by a bayonet: "Worthy gentleman you mistak I was lamenting the departure of such kind friends who have been so free and easy with us." French soldier: "What do you say you scoundrel! do you call us robbers! I'll make you remember it!" Soldiers and Joseph's wagon: (l. to r.): First soldier: "Sacre B.... de Cheval Espagnole Marche" Soldier addressing Joseph: "Ces fous la rejouis by gar Mons. Joseph, dey be glad we go." Joseph: "Bye Bye don't cry so my faithfull Subjects I'll come back to you as soon as those dam'd English will let me--I have taken a few tokens to remember you by." A Nun in the wagon: "Father Dominick don't grieve, King Joseph has left some old ones behind for you." Monk (l.): "God deliver you out of the Devils clutches my poor girls, but I fear you are lost sheep." Monk (r.): "What are you about you blackguard we are not used to such treatment." Soldier: "get home you old Bums! What do you begrudge King Joseph a few Virgins for his amusement!" Group of Soldiers under "Legion of Honor" banner: Soldier (l.): "Ah Pardie, you not gone yet Madonna I take you to see de grand Paris." Soldier (center r.): "What is that foolish woman making such a noise for. Look how contented Josephs companions travel with him." Soldier (far r.): "We have got all her Husbands property so she has nothing worth staying behind for Captain?" Annotation: THI,53 Annotation: OLY [?] Collector's Mark: A