Friends and Foes–Up He Goes–Sending the Corsican Munchausen to St. Cloud's

Art Historical Context

In the turbulent final days of the Napoleonic Wars, British caricaturist Thomas Rowland crafted this hand-colored etching, *Friends and Foes– He Goes–Sending theican Munchausen to St Cloud's*, published by Rudolph Ackermann in London December 12, 1813. Measuring about 10 by 14 inches, the print exemplifies the vibrant satirical tradition of Georgian-era England, where hand-coloring brought sharp political jabs to life with vivid hues and exaggerated features. The title mocks Napoleon Bonaparte, the "Corsican Munchausen"—a nod to the fabulist Baron Munchausen, implying the emperor's tall tales of glory amid mounting defeats. By late 1813, Napoleon's Grand Army had been decimated in Russia, and coalition forces were closing in, symbolized here by his ignominious "flight" toward the Château de Saint-Cloud near Paris, a site tied to his imperial pomp. Rowlandson's dynamic composition pits "friends and foes" in chaotic scenes, capturing British glee at France's unraveling empire. As a master of caricature, Rowlandson blended biting wit with aquatint etching techniques, making these affordable prints hugely popular for disseminating anti-Napoleonic fervor. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, it highlights how art fueled public opinion, turning propaganda into enduring cultural commentary.

About the Artist

Thomas Rowlandson|Rudolph Ackermann, London|Napoléon Bonaparte · 1756–1827

Thomas Rowlandson (1757–1827) was an English artist and caricaturist whose satirical watercolors and prints captured the social life of Georgian Britain with unparalleled wit and technical mastery. Alongside James Gillray, he is recognized as one of the greatest British graphic artists, and his distinctive flowing line and keen observations have made his work integral to understanding late 18th an...