Buonaparte, 48 Hours after Landing (George 10041)

The present work was a timely response to a recently passed Military Service Bill designed to recruit local men between the ages of 17 and 55, following the resumption of war between England and France in May 1803. It was just one of a whole onslaught of 'anti-Gallic' propaganda prints which appeared in the British press that year - in this case Gillray shows the French Emperor's head held high on a pitchfork by John Bull who is dressed as an armed yokel. Both are surrounded by enthusiastic recruits waving the union flag.

This particular scene differs from those in mainstream broadsides since there appears to be an element of ambiguity in Gillray's stance: Napoleon's distinguished features are rendered in much detail, in contrast to the coarse faces of the crowd who seem to be quite dumb in their unquestioning patriotism. For Gillray, every man provided an opportunity for ridicule regardless of his specific political and social standing.