The Ninth of Thermidor, or the English Surprise, to Honest People of All Countries (Le Neuf Thermidor ou la surprise angloise, aux honnêtes gens to tous le pays)

Art Historical Context

In the turbulent final days of the French Revolution Jean-Baptiste Louvion and-Eugène Poirier crafted this hand-colored etching in Fructidor of Year III (1795), a vivid satirical print now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drawings and Prints department. Titled *The Ninth of Thermidor or the English Surprise, Honest People of All Countries it captures the political fervor around 9 Thermidor Year III (late August 1795), the Directory's fragile rule following the Thermidorian Reaction toppled Robespierre. The "English Surprise" likely alludes to British meddling or royalist plots, a common revolutionary bogeyman. Through biting caricature, the artwork deploys symbols like birds, men, eggs, food, and eating to lampoon politicians and foreign intrigue—perhaps depicting opportunistic figures devouring the revolution's gains, much like birds raiding nests. Hand-coloring enhanced its visual punch, making it a potent tool for public discourse in Paris's vibrant print culture, where such etchings were cheaply produced and widely disseminated to rally "honest people" against perceived betrayals. This piece exemplifies revolutionary satire's role in shaping public opinion, blending humor with sharp political critique. Its survival in The Elisha Whittelsey Collection reminds us how art fueled the era's ideological battles.

About the Artist

Jean-Baptiste Louvion|Louis-Eugène Poirier (French|French) · 1740 |1793 –1804 |1818

French, 1740–1804|French, active 1793–1818