Vent contraire, ou, vaillans efforts du beau sexe Anglais pour empêcher la descente

Image not available
Aaron Martinet
Vent contraire, ou, vaillans efforts du beau sexe Anglais pour empêcher la descente
etching and aquatint, hand colored
image: 152 x 156 mm; sheet: 181 x 175 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 1874
Published: 
[Paris] : Chez Martinet, [1803?]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

"Dorothy George dates this print 1798, but it belongs with the large group of French satires relating to the invasion plan of 1803, and is so placed by de Vinck"--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalog.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

Behind a folding screen on the sea-shore, ten ugly Englishwomen with fans attempt to make a contrary wind to prevent the landing of a French fleet. One says to a terrified British officer crouching behind her petticoats: "Vite Caches-toi les voici". He exclaims "ah! je suis perdu!" Two French boats have reached land at left, their tricolour flag inscribed 'Liberté des Mers'. From the flimsy English barricade floats a pennant: 'Vaincre ou céder'. Cf. British Museum online catalog.

Artist page: 
Classification: 
Department: