A game at chess

description below“Bonaparte (left) and Cornwallis play chess. Bonaparte, not caricatured, alert and military, wearing his large plumed cocked hat, leans forward, pointing to his move; his left arm lies on the table and in his left hand is his sheathed sabre. He says: “Check to your King, remember it is not the first time, and I think a very few ManÅ“uvres more will completely convince you that I am better acquainted with the Game I am playing than you are aware of.” Cornwallis, plump and civilian despite his regimentals and profession, sits without a hat, scratching his head apprehensively. He says: “Curse it I shall lose this Game; You are too much for me.” He wears his ribbon and star, ‘Honi soit’ on his garter. The chairs are symbolical: that of Bonaparte has ormolu laurel wreaths, the legs are formed of fasces and axes; that of Cornwallis, with plain oval back, suggests an English drawing-room.”–British Museum online catalogue.

 

  • Author: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: A game at chess [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. Jany. 9th, 1802, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly, [9 January 1802]

Catalog Record

802.01.09.01+

Acquired September 2020