Tag Archives: Ferdinand VII

The Holy Alliance unmasked

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Satire depicting the The Quintuple Alliance (Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte, Francis I, Emperor of Austria, Louis Antoine de Bourbon, duc d’Angoulême and the Duke of Wellington) debating the question of the Spanish succession and French intervention in Spain at the 1822 Congress of Verona. Losers in the negotiation are depicted as tiny doll-like figures trampled under the table. Masks are scattered on the floor and animal symbolism includes a bear, a monkey and a pair of bulldogs.

  • Printmaker: Purcell, E. (Edward), printmaker.
  • Title: The Holy Alliance unmasked [graphic] / E. Purcell.
  • Publication: [London] : Published Feb. 1823 by J. Dickinson, 114 New Bond St., [February 1823]

Catalog Record

823.02.00.01+

Acquired April 2023

 

Putting his foot in it

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“A Portuguese soldier and a British soldier, facing each other, co-operatively seize Ferdinand VII, who is putting his left foot across a line dividing Spain (right) from Portugal. Each holds a musket without bayonet. The Englishman’s right hand is on Ferdinand’s shoulder; the Portuguese clutches one of the King’s ass’s ears. Ferdinand wears a crown, a long cloak, and a spiky ruff. A French officer on the extreme right makes off to the right, shocked and alarmed; he looks over his shoulder, exclaiming, Sacré dieu! le pauvre bete est attrappée.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Title: Putting his foot in it [graphic].
  • Publication: London : Published by Thos. McLean, 26 Haymarket, 1826.

Catalog Record

826.00.00.90+

Acquired May 2021