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The Governor of Europe, Stoped (sic) in his Career
The Governor of Europe, Stoped (sic) in his Career

The Governor of Europe, Stoped (sic) in his Career

Artist (died 1830)
Date1803
Object number00054711
NameCaricature
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 380 × 260 mm
Mount / Matt size (B Fini Frame Mount): 560 × 407 mm
Overall (use B fini frame): 590 × 435 × 40 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA caricature a hand-coloured etching by and after Charles Williams titled 'The Governor of Europe, Stoped (sic) in His Career', watermarked 1801 depicting Napoleon standing on a map, across Europe. He is wearing his military uniform of a blue frock coat with golden rim, cuffs and epaulettes, white breeches, a red sash over his waist and a large bicorn hat adorned with feathers in the French flag tri-colour. Napoleon is recoiling in shock and dropping his sword, while John Bull (who stands astride the British Isles) brandishes the sword with which he has just cut off half of Napoleon’s left foot. Napoleon exclaims "Ah you tam John Bull!! You have spoil my Dance!! You have ruin all my Projets!!" John replies "I ax pardon Master Boney, but as we says Paws off Pompey, we keep this little spot to Ourselves. You must not dance here Master Boney". Text under the image reads: The Governor of Europe, Stoped (sic) in His Career. / or little B ___n to much for Great B___te. HistoryThis caricature is one of a collection of seventeen created during the Napoleonic wars and highlights the fortunes of the French Emperor during his rise and fall. It was during this period that the character of John Bull was created as a representation of the solid English yeoman and the caricatures reflect the attitudes common in England at the time.SignificanceThe collection is significant as a contemporary expression of popular British attitudes towards Napoleon and his era. The collection includes works by noted artists James Gillray, Isaac Cruikshank and Thomas Rowlandson and are all original works dating to the first quarter of the 19th century. They are significant in providing a political context for the early years of British settlement in Australia.