BM11998-oath-of-allegiance-to-the-infant-king-1813-0488
identifier:
BM11998-oath-of-allegiance-to-the-infant-king-1813-0488
title:
The Oath of Allegiance to the Infant King of Rome
date:
January 12, 1813
description:
Napoleon and Marie Louise sit side by side on a double throne raised on a circular dais of three steps. On the dais is a large model of the Papal tiara, which serves as throne for the King of Rome. He sits astride the cross on its summit, his legs thrust forward, flourishing a rattle, and holding out to the Pope a large sabre with a curved blade. Pius VII, in his robes and wearing his tiara, kneels to the right on the lowest step of the dais, kissing the blade. In his right hand is his crosier which either deliberately or through negligence he has broken against a censer which stands on the step of the dais emitting puffs of smoke. The Emperor wears uniform, with a bicorne decorated with plume, crown, and olive twigs. His right foot in spurred boot rests on a footstool, his right hand is on his thigh and he clutches a paper inscribed 'Oath of Allegiance', while he stares intently at the Pope. The Empress, wearing a low spiky crown or tiara with feathers, turns to her husband, pointing to her son. The child's hat and profile are exactly like those of his father; but he wears a frock with a sash. A poodle clipped in the French manner urinates against his tiara-seat. An eagle with a crown poised on its wings and with a laurel wreath, decorates the back of the throne, whose arms are formed of carved eagles with fierce melancholy expressions. Two little grinning boys on the extreme left hold up the Pope's robes. Behind them is a bishop, his hands on his breast, an expression of horror on his aquiline features. He is followed by a procession of soldiers with two tricolour flags. In the foreground are the head and shoulders of a bishop in back view, holding up his hands and leaning sideways. A third bishop beside him turns to the left. Source: George.
description:
British Museum #11998
format:
24 cm x 35 cm
type:
Paper
type:
Etching, hand-colored
coverage:
London, England
relation:
LUCA2018.29 1813
subject:
Marie Louis, Empress of the French and Duchess of Parma
subject:
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French
subject:
Pope Pius VII
subject:
Napoleon II, King of Rome and Duke of Reichstadt
subject:
Satire
subject:
Great Britain
creator:
Elmes, William
relation:
Michalak Collection
source:
Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections