Carlo the Great, Running Away with the East Indes Possibly 1806

"Carlo the Great, Running Away with the East Indies" is a satirical cartoon by Charles Williams, likely created in 1806. It depicts a caricature of the British prime minister at the time, William Pitt, fleeing a scene of chaos with a sack of "East Indies" goods. The artwork criticizes Pitt's political and economic policies, particularly his role in the Napoleonic Wars and his handling of the British East India Company. This piece is an example of British political satire, a genre that used humor and exaggeration to expose the flaws of those in power. The cartoon serves as a reminder of the complexities of the era and the role of art in shaping public opinion.