A satire on Napoleon in Russia. The daughter of Count Platoff stands full face, erect, dashing, and alluring, on a snowy mound. Her right hand supports a spear from which floats a banner inscribed: ‘I General Count Platoff. promise to give my Daughter in Marriage and 2000 Rubles – to any Cossack, Russian, Prusian, German, Sweede, Turk, John Bull, Sauny Bull Paddy Bull or any other Bull, who shall bring Me the Head of Little Bony dead or a live.’ She wears fur-trimmed cap with a long hussar-bag, long high-waisted fur-bordered pelisse, with a cape, fur-trimmed boots, and large ear-rings. The words ‘Hih “ho” for a Husband’ issue from closed and smiling lips. With her left hand she points behind her to the right and to the little figure of Napoleon on skates, wearing a large plumed bicorne, and brandishing his sabre; he deserts his snow-bound army, saying, “O” ho” bygare I had best be Off.” He strides past the heads of soldiers emerging from snow, together with bayonets, and a French flag; behind him the French army marches in close ranks, with one eagle and one flag. On the left is another column of tiny soldiers indicated by heads, bayonets, an eagle, and flags. In the clouds, airborne as in No. 11992 (British Museum catalogue), are two bands of galloping Cossacks, one (right) seems about to swoop down on Napoleon. Heavy clouds frame slanting rays which make a background for Platoff’s daughter. At her feet are two money–bags both inscribed ‘1,000 Rubles’, which disgorge coins. Behind them a kneeling Cupid aims his bow towards the ‘cloud of Cossacks’ on the left.”–British Museum catalogue.
- Printmaker: Elmes, William, active 1797-1814, printmaker.
- Title: A tit bit for a Cossack, or, The Platoff prize, for the head of Buonaparte [graphic] / Wm. Es.
- Publication: London : Pubd. by Thos Tegg, 111 Cheapside, Jany. 4th 1813.
Catalog Record & Digital Collection
813.01.04.01
Acquired June 2015
