Napoleon in bad, 1813 Possibly 1813

George Cruikshank created this hand-coloured etching called “Bleeding & Warm Water! or, The Allied Doctors bringing Boney to his Senses!” in England, around 1813. The image ridicules Napoleon Bonaparte through medical satire. It speaks volumes about British attitudes towards their long-standing adversary. It's a visual commentary on Napoleon's military setbacks. The so-called Allied Doctors, representing various nations opposing Napoleon, are depicted administering bizarre treatments. The artist employs a range of visual codes: Napoleon, stripped of his dignity, is the patient while the doctors, with exaggerated features, symbolize the coalition against him. “Boney” was a common British nickname for Napoleon, frequently used in caricatures to depict him as small and insignificant. Cruikshank's print reflects the intense political climate of early 19th-century Europe, fueled by nationalism and anti-French sentiment. Works like this served as propaganda, shaping public opinion and bolstering support for the war effort against Napoleon. By studying such images alongside military reports, political pamphlets, and personal accounts, we gain a deeper understanding of how art served as a potent tool in shaping historical narratives.