Democratic courage ; Democratic honor

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · May 12, 1800

Two panels from a sequence of eight designs, arranged in two rows, titled "Democracy - or - a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte." [Left] Democratic courage. Buonaparte deserting his Army in Egypt for fear of the Turks after boasting that he would extirpate them all: A moonlight scene. Bonaparte, making furtive gestures of flight, stands in a boat which is rowed from the shore towards a ship. By the shore is a row of tents with tricolour flags, in which ragged French soldiers are asleep. Behind is an advancing army of Turkish soldiers. [Right] Democratic honor. Buonaparte overturns the French Republic which had employ'd him & intrusted him with the chief Command: Bonaparte, sabre in hand, directs files of Grenadiers who put to flight the members of the Council of Five Hundred, who are wearing their official dress. The president on his raised seat under a canopy screams in terror. (He was actually Lucien Bonaparte, whose assistance to his brother had been decisive.) Bonaparte tramples on the torn 'Constitution de I Ann: 3.' The soldiers have a tricolour flag (BM).