Napoleon op de slijpsteen, 1814 Possibly 1814

William Elmes created this print, "John Bull Bringing Bony's Nose to the Grindstone" in 1814. The image is dominated by the grindstone, an ancient symbol of attrition and relentless force. Here, Napoleon, or "Bony," is forcibly brought to it, nose first, by John Bull, representing Great Britain, while European figures look on with glee. The grindstone evokes the inexorable nature of time and justice, reminiscent of the Fates of classical antiquity who spun, measured, and cut the thread of life. This motif of grinding, of wearing down through persistent action, echoes in countless narratives across cultures, from the trials of heroes to the punishments of the damned. Observe how the act of grinding transcends mere physical action; it becomes a metaphor for the erosion of power and the inevitable decline of even the mightiest figures. The stark, almost brutal, depiction engages our collective memory of retribution and the cyclical nature of history, reminding us that hubris often precedes a fall.