The cold-blooded murderer or the assassination of the Duke D'Enghein

In dark of a nighttime forest, two masked French soldiers (far l. and center) hold torches and light the scene of the Duke D'Enghein's murder. Arms and legs spread wide, the Duke (l.) is tied to a large tree trunk and forced to watch Napoleon commit his murder. Napoleon (r.) theatrically lunges towards his victim's heart. In his right hand he holds the sword, and in his left he clutches the scabbard. In this image the satirist has chosen to depict the instant before the tip of the sword once again pierces the Duke's already injured torso. This moment of drama is heightened by the text which includes the Duke's courageous last words, and Napoleon's profession of his cowardly motives for the murder. A team of five flying demons arrive and hover above Napoleon's head. They wear red liberty caps and carry a crown studded with daggers--Napoleon's reward for murder. On the far right of the scene a group of four figures wearing armor and carrying shields approach the scene. Whereas the scene of the murder is illuminated by torch light, the way of the knights is lit by moonlight. George has noted that the shield decorated with the Hapsburg eagle represents Francis II while the shield with a bear represents Alexander I or Russia: the other two shields bear simple crosses. Although the scene is fictionalized, George notes that the incident of the Duke D'Enghein's kidnapping, court martial, and murder on March 20 was directed by Napoleon and was carried out in the moat of the castle by torch light. She further writes that the murder was protested by Alexander, yet Francis II was reluctant to voice criticism of Napoleon's actions. In dark of a nighttime forest, two masked French soldiers (far l. and center) hold torches and light the scene of the Duke D'Enghein's murder. Arms and legs spread wide, the Duke (l.) is tied to a large tree trunk and forced to watch Napoleon commit his murder. Napoleon (r.) theatrically lunges towards his victim's heart. In his right hand he holds the sword, and in his left he clutches the scabbard. In this image the satirist has chosen to depict the instant before the tip of the sword once again pierces the Duke's already injured torso. This moment of drama is heightened by the text which includes the Duke's courageous last words, and Napoleon's profession of his cowardly motives for the murder. A team of five flying demons arrive and hover above Napoleon's head. They wear red liberty caps and carry a crown studded with daggers--Napoleon's reward for murder. On the far right of the scene a group of four figures wearing armor and carrying shields approach the scene. Whereas the scene of the murder is illuminated by torch light, the way of the knights is lit by moonlight. George has noted that the shield decorated with the Hapsburg eagle represents Francis II while the shield with a bear represents Alexander I or Russia: the other two shields bear simple crosses. Although the scene is fictionalized, George notes that the incident of the Duke D'Enghein's kidnapping, court martial, and murder on March 20 was directed by Napoleon and was carried out in the moat of the castle by torch light. She further writes that the murder was protested by Alexander, yet Francis II was reluctant to voice criticism of Napoleon's actions. Published by Samuel W. Fores. 1804-06-02 Caption: Pubd June 2d 1804 by S W Fores No 50 Piccadilly Dialogue: Duke d'Enghein: "Assassin! your Bandetti need not cover my Eyes, I fear not Death tho perhaps a Guiltless Countenance may Appall your blood thirsty Soul." Napoleon: "Now de whole World shall know de courage of de first grand Consul, that I can kill my Enemies in de Dark as well as de light, by Night as well as by Day dare and dare I had him--hark vat noise was dat, as ti's only de Wind dare again and dare--now I shall certainly be made Emperor of de Gulls." Winged demons: "This glorious deed does well deserve a Crown, thus let us feed his wild ambition, untill some bold avenging hand shall make him All our Own." Armored figures: "Brothers! if these are the Treacherous Blood thirsty designs of this Tyrant , it is high time we united with England in one common cause for the sake of suffering Humanity, and to arrest the progress of his Infernal Machin-ations." Dialogue: Demon leader: "This glorious deed does well deserve a Crown thus let us feed his wild ambition, until some bold avenging hand shall make him All our own" Dialogue: Tsar: "Brothers! if these are the Treacherous Blood thirsty designs of this Tyrant, it is high time we united with England in one common cause for the sake of suffering Humanity, and to arrest the progress of his Infernal Machin-ations." Inscription: Folios of Caricatures Lent out for the Evening. Collector's Mark: A Stamp(s): S.W.F.