Imperial Jump-rope (Le Sauteur impérial, grand faiseur de tour) 1815

"Imperial Jump-rope" (Le Sauteur impérial, grand faiseur de tour) is a satirical hand-colored lithograph by Friedrich August Mottu, created in 1815. The print depicts Napoleon Bonaparte jumping rope, while two men hold the ends of the rope. The piece is a humorous commentary on Napoleon's military campaigns and political stature. Mottu's artwork reflects the widespread use of caricature during the early 19th century, which used humor and exaggeration to comment on current events. This print is part of a larger series of satirical works that were popular in Europe during this period.