“The Phenix [sic] of Elba Resuscitated by Treason."

G. Cruikshank

“The Phenix [sic] of Elba Resuscitated by Treason."

London

Printed by W. N. Jones, Green Arbor Court, Old Bailey; for M. Jones, 5 Newgate Street; and sold by J. Johnson, Cheapside, and Goddard Pall Mall

May 1, 1815

Foldout, hand-colored etching.

Etching depicts Napoleon arising from the cauldron of war reignited on his return from Elba in March 1815, with his officers dancing around the flames. Upper left, Lord Castlereagh, Foreign Secretary, reports to the Regent the strong popular opposition to continuing the war against France and the peace treaty negotiated at the Congress of Vienna based on the belief that Castlereagh and the Regent had sided with England’s conservative allies, dividing the spoils of war at the expense of emerging national and liberal movements. Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo did not occur until June 18.

Source: The Scourge; or Monthly Expositor, of Imposture and Folly. Vol IX.

From the collection of Josephine Lea Iselin.