Le defecit, Isaac Cruikshank, 1788

Louis xvi (right) stands, knock-kneed, pointing out to necker a pile of empty treasure-chests; he says, "mr n------r il n'y sonts [sic] plus. " necker shrugs despairingly, saying, "j'en ai cependant laisses". Many chests are ranged round the room, all inscribed 'vuide'. Two men leave a door on the left with large sacks on their shoulders. One (left), calonne, says, "je lestiens", coins fall from his pocket with a label, "requete au roi". The other, who follows him, wearing a long robe, says, "j'ai le reste". He is loménie de brienne, cardinal and archbishop of sens. Over the door is inscribed 'faux fuyans'. 12 november 1788 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 237 mm; Width: 334 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles Alexandre de Calonne. Collection: British Museum. Le defecit (BM 1868,0808.5791)