Leçon de voltiges, Eugène Delacroix, 1822

Satire on the incompetence and anachronism of the 'voltigeurs', as representatives of the ultras, in contrast with liberal bonapartist efficiency; in a manège, seven incompetent ageing riders in outmoded and ridiculous attire (medieval armour, ancien régime outfits) unsuccessfully practise dressage movements, their horses prancing; they each have a banner with words or phrases evoking feudalism and ultra values vasselage' ('vassalage'), 'coutumes de gascogne', 'baillage. . ' (land leasing), 'capitaineries', 'droit du seigneur. . ' (lords' rights), "droit d'aubaine" (estate repossession), and "14me siècle"'; in the centre, in total contrast to the disarray, two competeent-looking and relaxed young men watch the scene: an officer on horseback in napoleonic uniform with a banner extolling 'gloire, honneur, patrie' (the grande-armée motto) and smartly-dressed middle-class young man, who leans against his companion's horse and casually holds a banner with 'beaux arts, industrie, commerce, talent, vertue'; published in 'le miroir' on 8 march 1822 lithograph. Date: 1822. Dimensions: Height: 208 mm (image); Width: 299 mm (image). Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Leçon de voltiges (BM 1987,0516.38)