A Friendly Visit

April 16, 1814
Not on view
A satire on Napoleon's defeat, abdication and retirement to Elba. A devil approaches Napoleon at right, holding a trident and a noose, saying, "Master Boney the favour of your company is requested." Napoleon hurriedly rises from his "Camp stool" at left, pulls on his breeches, and replies, "I'll be with you in a crack." A skeleton stands behind him and holds back Joseph Bonaparte, who tries to escape through a door at left, and warns him, "Stop thief."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A Friendly Visit
  • 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: Joseph Bonaparte (French, 1768–1844)
  • Date: April 16, 1814
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching and stipple
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 9 1/8 in. × 13 in. (23.2 × 33 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.533.2067
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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