Paintings, Prints & Drawings — 1814
The Modern Prometheus, or Downfall of Tyranny
This satirical print is by George Cruikshank and is entitled The Modern Prometheus or Downfall of Tyranny. Cruikshank was a prolific artist who many produced many works commenting on contemporary events.
Here the defeated Napoleon who was exiled to Elba is shown shackled to a rock signifying Elba.He escaped to be finally defeated in the Battle of Waterloo, 1815.
In the centre stands blindfold Justice holding her scales & raising a flaming sword inscribed RUSSIA/AUSTRIA/SWEDEN/ENGLAND/PRUSSIA, to strike down Napoleon.
On the left above a globe inscribed EUROPE rising from clouds are Peace (with an olive branch) and Plenty who supports cornucopia from which she pours gold coins. Napoleon kneels on his left knee flinching from Justice; a vulture inscribed 'Conscience' pecks at his heart and blood is shown flowing from the wound. At Justice's feet lie a broken crown and an Imperial eagle. IThe right scale is inscribed VIVE LOUIS with a crown and the white Bourbon flag. The French Republicanflag, a revolutionary cap and the Imperial Standard have fallen out of the left hand scale.
- Category:
- Paintings, Prints & Drawings
- Object ID:
- 38.303/6
- Object name:
- The Modern Prometheus, or Downfall of Tyranny
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Cruikshank, George
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1814
- Material:
paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 260 mm, W 372 mm (paper)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 60%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.