Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘The Genius of France nursing her darling’.

'The Genius of France nursing her darling'. Hand coloured etching and aquatint. 'Publishd Novr 26. 1804. by H. Humphrey 27 St James's Street London'. An ugly figure of France takes up the pose of Britannia. She is wearing a Bonnet Rouge and holds aloft a small Napoleon wearing royal robes over a general's uniform. In May, Napoleon had been 'chosen' as emperor. In a bloody hand France holds a rattle surmounted with a crown which Napoleon points to - his coronation was to come in December. France sits on a chair decorated with a guillotine and decapitated heads. Behind her is a shield decorated with a tricolour and the head of Louis XVI. Behind the shield stands a bloodied spear. France sings a well known Children's Song from the period, cleverly referencing Pepin, the first French King. Beneath the print is a quote from King Lear: 'False of Heart, light of Ear, bloody of Hand / Fox in Stealth, Wolf in Greediness, Dog in Madness / Lion in Prey: - bless thy Five Wits'. 14x10 inches.