The first Kiss this Ten Years! -or- the meeting of Britannia & Citizen Francois, 1 January 1803
Scope and Contents
Artist: James Gillray. Published: Hannah Humphrey. Britannia (right), fat, good-natured, and richly dressed, holding a fan, is kissed by a tall lean French military officer who bends forward, holding her below the shoulders. He is war-worn, his pigtail stands awkwardly erect and his hair straggles over his face, while the crown of his head is almost bald, as if plucked. He wears jackboots ; his hat and sword lie on the ground beside him. She is almost spherical; her shield and trident, replacing the usual spear, lean against the wall behind her and out of sight. He says: "Madame, permittez me, to pay my profound esteem to your engaging person! & to seal on your divine Lips my everlasting attachment!!!" A cynical and sensual grin indicates the character of his advances. She smiles with coy complacency, saying, "Monsieur, you are truly a well-bred Gentleman! - & tho' you make me blush, yet, you Kiss so delicately, that I cannot refuse you; tho' I was sure you would Deceive me again!!!" Above their heads are oval bust portraits of Napoleon (left) and George III (right), the two men extending their arms as if to shake hands; the King scowls, Napoleon regards him with brooding suspicion. The frames are bordered by olive branches and palm-branches. Description from the British Museum.
Dates
- Creation: 1 January 1803
Conditions Governing Access
Physical item available by appointment in our Reading Room
Extent
1.0 Item(s)
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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