Memorial of Napoleon

A thick black border frames this memorial to Napoleon, who died in exile on May 5th,1821. The memorial is illustrated by five engravings of the emperor, which in turn border two laudatory texts that occupy a second frame in the center of the broadside. A facsimile of Napoleon's signature is included at the bottom of the central text box. Three overlapping portrait busts of Napoleon, Marie Louise and the young King of Rome are centered in the upper portion of the sheet. This image of the imperial family is highly idealized; each profile is outlined with even contours that avoid any expression of the personalities of the figures depicted. On the left and the right sides of the sheet, four full length views of Napoleon in uniform are provided. The pose on the upper left side depicts Napoleon standing with his arms folded in front of his torso so that his medals are not obscured. On the lower left Napoleon is shown from behind standing at rigid attention: he holds his hands behind his back in a contemplative manner and elegantly stands so that his weight rests on his back foot. In the upper right, Napoleon is shown in three-quarters pose. He raises his left hand in address, and in his right holds his unsheathed sword. The fourth image, in the lower right, depicts Napoleon turned towards the text in profile. With his arms across his chest he seems to be meditating on the praise the text contains. Significantly, the portraits of Napoleon are not caricatures, nor is the text laden with irony. Instead, the text praises Napoleon for making a mockery of the institution of the monarchy and carrying through goals set by the French Revolution. If there is a barb intended in this text, it might well be for George IV, who, in 1820 became the fourth Hanover to ascend to the throne. During this time of accession, the legitimacy of the British monarchy was called into question as the dissolute and foppish Prince Regent assumed the throne after his father, George III, finally died after protracted mental illness. Additionally, the newly restored Bourbon monarch, Louis XXIII, was highly unpopular and regarded by many (in France and abroad) as incompetent. A thick black border frames this memorial to Napoleon, who died in exile on May 5th,1821. The memorial is illustrated by five engravings of the emperor, which in turn border two laudatory texts that occupy a second frame in the center of the broadside. A facsimile of Napoleon's signature is included at the bottom of the central text box. Three overlapping portrait busts of Napoleon, Marie Louise and the young King of Rome are centered in the upper portion of the sheet. This image of the imperial family is highly idealized; each profile is outlined with even contours that avoid any expression of the personalities of the figures depicted. On the left and the right sides of the sheet, four full length views of Napoleon in uniform are provided. The pose on the upper left side depicts Napoleon standing with his arms folded in front of his torso so that his medals are not obscured. On the lower left Napoleon is shown from behind standing at rigid attention: he holds his hands behind his back in a contemplative manner and elegantly stands so that his weight rests on his back foot. In the upper right, Napoleon is shown in three-quarters pose. He raises his left hand in address, and in his right holds his unsheathed sword. The fourth image, in the lower right, depicts Napoleon turned towards the text in profile. With his arms across his chest he seems to be meditating on the praise the text contains. Significantly, the portraits of Napoleon are not caricatures, nor is the text laden with irony. Instead, the text praises Napoleon for making a mockery of the institution of the monarchy and carrying through goals set by the French Revolution. If there is a barb intended in this text, it might well be for George IV, who, in 1820 became the fourth Hanover to ascend to the throne. During this time of accession, the legitimacy of the British monarchy was called into question as the dissolute and foppish Prince Regent assumed the throne after his father, George III, finally died after protracted mental illness. Additionally, the newly restored Bourbon monarch, Louis XXIII, was highly unpopular and regarded by many (in France and abroad) as incompetent. Although the five engravings in this sheet are not signed, the publisher is provided: London: Printed for W. Hone, 45 Ludgate Hill, 1821; By J. McCreery, Tooks Court. Text on this print is extensive and is in English; it has not been transcribed. Caption: London: Printed for W. Hone, 45, Ludgate Hill, 1821; by J. McCreery, Tooks Court Price: Sixpence