Napoleon als bellenblazer, 1815 1815

Wijnand Esser created this watercolor, entitled ‘Napoleon als bellenblazer,’ which translates to ‘Napoleon as bubble blower,’ in 1815. This satirical cartoon encapsulates the political turmoil of post-revolutionary Europe, specifically the fleeting return of Napoleon to power. Esser critiques Napoleon’s imperial ambitions through the imagery of ephemeral bubbles, blown by Napoleon himself. The bubble displays skeletons and is labeled ‘het Keizerrijk,’ meaning ‘the Empire.’ A devil fans the flames of Napoleon’s hubris, while a monkey holds a bowl of ‘blood money’. The cartoon’s imagery conjures up feelings of betrayal and disillusionment after decades of war and upheaval. This print not only mocks Napoleon’s desire for power, it also reflects on the human cost of his ambition. It highlights how easily empires, like bubbles, can burst, leaving behind a residue of suffering and discontent.