Nursing the Spawn of a Tyrant

April 14, 1811

Not on view

Marie Louise recoils from her infant son, seated in her lap, who threatens her with a dagger. Napoleon hides behind a curtain at right. A bishop at left raises a goblet inscribed "Composing Draught" to the Empress.

Artwork Details

Title: Nursing the Spawn of a Tyrant
Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
Publisher: Thomas Tegg (British, London 1776–1846 London)
Subject: Napoléon Bonaparte (French, Ajaccio 1769–1821 St. Helena)
Subject: Napoléon II, King of Rome and Duke of Reichstadt (French, Paris 1811–1832 Vienna)
Subject: Empress Marie Louise of France (1791–1847)
Published in: London
Date: April 14, 1811
Medium: Hand-colored etching
Dimensions: Plate: 13 5/8 × 9 11/16 in. (34.6 × 24.6 cm)
Sheet: 15 1/2 × 10 1/4 in. (39.3 × 26 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
Object Number: 59.533.1425
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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