Flags of truth and lies.

Thomas Rowlandson

Flags of truth and lies.

London, Ackerman, July 10^th 1803

Etching

Original hand colouring

270 x 340 mm.

Trimmed within platemark

£280

John Bull and a Frenchman stand facing each other; each holds a large flag inscribed with a message. The latter (r.), a soldier with a long pigtail, wearing a cocked hat and clumsy postilion’s jackboots, points to his tricolour, saying, “Mon Grande Maitre bid a you read dat Monsieur.” The flag: “Citizen first Consul Buonaparte presents Compliments and thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Great Britain, who have honored him with their visits at Paris, and intends himself the pleasure of returning it in person, as soon as his arrangements for that purpose can be completed.” John, stout and ugly, is dressed as a sailor in short coat and trousers but wears a wig and a hat of civilian character. He answers: “And let your Grand Master read that Mownseer.” The flag, on which is a St. George’s Cross: “John Bull does not rightly understand the Chief Consuls lingo – but supposes he means something about Invasion, therefore the said Bull deems it necessary to observe that if his Consular Highness, dares attempt to invade any Ladies or Gentlemen, on his coast he’ll be damn’d if he don’t sink him.”