German nonchalence:-or-, the vexation of little-Boney

In this satire Gillray makes expert use of several engraving techniques to provide depth and texture to the scene. On the left of the sheet, a post-chaise races past the French emperor and his guards, who stand at the entrance to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. The elegant carriage is ornamented with the Hapsburg eagles and the letter "S," two features which identify the poised gentleman within as Count Starhemberg, Austrian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to England (as noted by George). The count is unperturbed by the speed of his departure, which he signals by dipping a pinch of snuff while contemptuously eyeing Napoleon and his Grenadiers. The carriage is pulled by two powerful horses who snort and grimace in Napoleon's direction. The driver wears a maniacal grin and rides astride the left horse's back while urging the team on with a long whip. Arms and legs flung apart in a gesture of shock, Napoleon's starts at the apparition. Such is his shock that his plumed hat flies backwards off his head. The Grenadiers who are clustered in a semicircle around Napoleon tower over their commander. They have long handlebar mustaches and reach for their swords, waiting for orders. Although made small, Napoleon stands out from the crowd by his gesture and by Gillray's use of texture, which is used to obscure the Grenadiers around Napoleon, but leaves Napoleon himself to be delineated with clean lines. George notes that the event the print relates to is unclear. According to her estimation, it most likely refers to two incidents: the orders Napoleon gave to the Count to vacate Paris; and the anecdote that Starhemberg passed through Paris on a visit and failed to pay his respects to Napoleon. In this satire Gillray makes expert use of several engraving techniques to provide depth and texture to the scene. On the left of the sheet, a post-chaise races past the French emperor and his guards, who stand at the entrance to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. The elegant carriage is ornamented with the Hapsburg eagles and the letter "S," two features which identify the poised gentleman within as Count Starhemberg, Austrian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to England (as noted by George). The count is unperturbed by the speed of his departure, which he signals by dipping a pinch of snuff while contemptuously eyeing Napoleon and his Grenadiers. The carriage is pulled by two powerful horses who snort and grimace in Napoleon's direction. The driver wears a maniacal grin and rides astride the left horse's back while urging the team on with a long whip. Arms and legs flung apart in a gesture of shock, Napoleon's starts at the apparition. Such is his shock that his plumed hat flies backwards off his head. The Grenadiers who are clustered in a semicircle around Napoleon tower over their commander. They have long handlebar mustaches and reach for their swords, waiting for orders. Although made small, Napoleon stands out from the crowd by his gesture and by Gillray's use of texture, which is used to obscure the Grenadiers around Napoleon, but leaves Napoleon himself to be delineated with clean lines. George notes that the event the print relates to is unclear. According to her estimation, it most likely refers to two incidents: the orders Napoleon gave to the Count to vacate Paris; and the anecdote that Starhemberg passed through Paris on a visit and failed to pay his respects to Napoleon. The address given in the publication inscription is that of H. Humphrey's print shop. Until his death in 1815, Gillray lived above the shop and engraved the majority of his works to be published and sold by the Humphrey family. Note also that in addition to signing the print as the publisher, Gillray signed the image (on the bottom step, second flagstone from right): Js Gillray inv. & fec. Dialogue: Napoleon: "Ha diable! va t'en! Impertinent! va't 'en! is dere von Man on Earth who not Worship little Boney? Soldats! aux Armes! revenge! ah sacre dieu! je suis tous Tremblans!" Inscription: Published Jany 1st 1803 by Js Gillray, 27 St Jamess Str.