La consultation (The consultation), Eugène Delacroix, 1820

Satire on the condition of france after its defeat by the allies in 1815; in the foreground to right a group of four doctorsare seated and deliberate the condition of a bedridden patient, representing france, lies dying at the back of the room to left, while the figure of death (a skeleton with a scythe) sits on the ground leaning against the back of one of the chairs; three doctors are older men in old-fashioned clothes (representing the ultras) who have fallen asleep while the fourth is young and stylishly attired (representing the liberals) and gestures energetically as he suggests cures. 1820 lithograph. Date: 1820. Dimensions: Height: 192 mm (image); Width: 246 mm (image). Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. La consultation (The consultation) (BM 1865,0114.77)