The Pope's Rear Guard or the Fright of the Reverend Father Corporal (Arrière garde du pape, ou la frayeur du reverend pere caporal) 1790 - 1800

This satirical print, "The Pope's Rear Guard or the Fright of the Reverend Father Corporal," created sometime between 1790 and 1800 by an anonymous artist, lampoons the Catholic Church. The print depicts a group of cardinals and priests fleeing in terror from a single soldier, symbolizing the French Revolution's impact on the Church's authority. The humorous depiction of the cardinals, dressed in their ornate robes, emphasizes the vulnerability of the clergy amidst the political upheaval. The print exemplifies the use of caricature and satire in art to express political and social commentary.