Nu moet ik met myn Haan, bedaard naar Elba gaan 1814

This etching, "Now I must go calmly to Elba with my Rooster," was made by Wijnand Esser. The image is a caricature of Napoleon Bonaparte, wearing a military uniform and hat, riding a rooster instead of a horse, and the title is written below the drawing. Esser used etching, which requires the artist to apply a waxy ground to a metal plate. The artist then scratches an image into the ground, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the metal. This creates grooves that hold ink when the plate is printed. The relatively sharp lines and fine details suggest Esser was a skilled etcher. By using this printing process, Esser was able to create multiple impressions of this image, rapidly disseminating a critical message about Napoleon, and perhaps profiting from his downfall. The print reflects a moment of political commentary through skilled craft, speaking volumes about the relationship between art, politics, and public opinion during this period.