The Great Dumourier taking French leave of the Netherlands, William Dent, 1793

A thin, grotesque french officer flees in terror with outstretched arms from the beak of a bird (left) which is about to peck his posteriors. He is a sansculotte, without breeches, wearing a military coat and ruffled shirt. His hair and long pigtail fly out behind him; his cocked hat flies off; the cockade is inscribed 'ca ira', ironically translated 'go it'. Before him (right) the rear ranks of the french army are seen running away at full speed, but in orderly formation. Dumouriez says: "dam the rotterdamers! dam the amsterdamers! neither breakfast nor breeches obtained - and no more pickings in belgia, but my rear in danger of being pickt by the imperial eagle. " the bird resembles a goose more than an eagle except for its predatory beak. The french troops say: "go it - master's limbs are on full stretch its the devil take the hindmost - this is running in the old french style. " april 1793 etching. Date: 1793. Dimensions: Height: 214 mm; Width: 267 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles François Dumouriez. Collection: British Museum. The Great Dumourier taking French leave of the Netherlands (BM 1868,0808.6287)