Reflections on Waterloo
During the quarter century of conflict that convulsed Britain and continental Europe during the late 18th century and early 19th century, satires were printed in many countries to assert national positions and confront Napoleon’s self-constructed imperial image of a powerful and god-like ruler. The decisive victory at the Battle of Waterloo provided artists with powerful fuel for their pejorative commentary on the fallen leader. Caricatures, such as these, participated in a broad conversation that suggests that the official French images of Napoleon were no more authentic or permanent than the satiric image. To this day Napoleon’s imperial image is popularly conflated with his satirical representation — namely his short stature, which was largely a satiric invention.
Items on Display
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An Attempt to Swallow the World!!!
George Moutard Woodward
London, W. Holland, 1803
Hand-colored aquatint 33 x 27.5 cm
This satire represents Napoleon as a larger than life figure, an arrogant political leader with aspirations of world domination. Although he has swallowed much of the globe already in the image, Great Britain remains beyond the reach of his teeth. John Bull, a personification of England regularly used in political cartoons, examines the situation, comments on the emperor’s progress, and predicts his eventual downfall at the hands of the British, stating:
I'll tell you what, Mr. Boneypartee, when you come to a little spot I have in my eye, it will stick in your throat and choak you! -
L’ecolier Battant la Retraite devant son maitre
Artist unknown
1815
Hand-colored engraving 27.5 x 23 cm
Pictured in the traditional satirical stature, Napoleon marches in front of the tall and overseeing Wellington. The caricature represents the overthrown ruler as a petulant school boy, commanded by the Duke to beat the retreat. Beating retreat is a military ceremony initiated by defeated commanders to recall their regiments at the end of battle. -
Cost of a Waterloo Medal
William Heath
London, T. McLean, 1829
Hand-colored etching 41.4 x 28.3 cm
In this illustration, two soldiers, a Frenchman and a Briton sit in conversation at a tavern table. The satire ridicules the expense of the Battle of Waterloo for both nations. The British soldier confidently retorts that it cost France a "Napoleon", referring both to the colloquial term for a French gold coin and the downfall of the emperor.