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Political Chemist and German Retorts or Dissolving the Rhenish Confederacy

December 12, 1813

Not on view

A little Napoleon is being heated to dissolution point in a glass vessel atop a "German Stove." Two retorts are connected with the vessel, which are inscribed "Intrigue and Villainy" and "Ambition and Folly." Four are connected to the stove and are inscribed: "Gasconade and Lies," "Fire and Sword," "Arrogance and Atrocity," and "Murder and Plunder." Representation of European powers surround the scene.

Political Chemist and German Retorts or Dissolving the Rhenish Confederacy, Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London), Hand-colored etching — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Political Chemist and German Retorts or Dissolving the Rhenish Confederacy

Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)

Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London (British, active 1794–1832)

Subject: Napoléon Bonaparte (French, Ajaccio 1769–1821 St. Helena)

Subject: Tsar Alexander I (Russian, 1777–1825)

Subject: Frederick William III, King of Prussia

Subject: Frederick Augustus I, King of Saxony (1763–1827)

Subject: Pope Pius VII

Subject: Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor (Austrian, Florence 1768–1835 Vienna)

Subject: Karl XIV Johan, King of Sweden and Norway (Swedish, French, Pau 1763–1844 Stockholm)

Subject: Frederick I, King of Württemberg (German, Trzebiatów 1754–1816 Stuttgart)

Date: December 12, 1813

Medium: Hand-colored etching

Dimensions: Sheet: 9 3/4 × 13 3/4 in. (24.7 × 34.9 cm)

Classification: Prints

Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959

Accession Number: 59.533.1523

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