Puss in boots; or, General Junot taken by surprise (Androche Junot, duc d'Albrantes (1771-1813) and Laure Permon, Duchess of Abrantes (1783-1838)
Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756 – London 1827)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
12 Apr 1811
Materials
Handcoloured etching on paper
Measurements
417 x 270 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Osterley Park and House, London
NT 771679
Summary
Handcoloured etching on paper, Puss in Boots; or, General Junot taken by surprise [Androche Junot, duc d'Albrantes (1771-1813) and Laure Martin de Permon, Duchess of Abrantes (1783-1838)] by Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756 - London 1827), 1811. Inscribed bottom right on picture: Pubd. April 12 1811 by Thos. Tegg No. 111 Cheapside and bottom left below picture line and above title: Rowlandson Del. A satirical scene showing a buxom female, with Napoleoninc hat and sword in hand, lifting her red skirts [other versions have a floral print on white background] revealing black boots. According to Laure Martin to Permon's memoirs, the scene alludes to an incident when Bonaparte visited her family home when she was still a child and she and her elder sister laughed at his ridiculous appearance. He was taken aback and called Cecile a child to which she allegedly retorted you are nothing but a Puss in Boots. The reference was apparently replayed by the Emperor many years later when the Junots, married, were Napolean and Josephine's guests.
Provenance
George Francis Child Villiers, 9th Earl of Jersey (1910 - 1998) bequest, March 1993
Makers and roles
Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756 – London 1827), engraver (printmaker) Thomas Tegg (1776-1845), publisher