Napoleonic Period Collection

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“This collection showcases 83 satirical drawings, or caricatures, from the Napoleonic Period, all giving political commentary on events of the period. Fifty of the drawings were created by French artists, and thirty-three by English artists. Nearly all of the French drawings date from the last two years of Napoleon’s reign, but the English drawings represent a broader time period ranging from 1793 to 1815. The drawings are primarily original etchings with other printing methods represented. Most of them have been hand-colored. The original collection is in good physical condition, although a few pieces have been trimmed to the edge of the plate impression or even the edge of the image.”

Users can search the collection by keyword or by French or English caricatures. Click on the title, and view enlargement of the drawing and catalog information. Zoom and pan features are available for closer viewing. French captions are translated into English. Historical notes and a description of the drawing are provided.

The front page of the website features a menu with links to a Napoleonic timeline with a brief biography of Napoleon. In addition, Important Dates and Events, information on the European Coalitions against Napoleon, and a Who’s Who in Napoleon’s World are links on the site. There is also a “visual comparison of the collection which reveals stylistic differences between the French and English prints.”