The High method of destroying Vermin at Rat-stadt., James Gillray, 1799

Two ferocious austrian hussars have decapitated the two french envoys. One (left) holds his victim feet in air, the head between the feet. The other stands still, blood spouting from his neck, while the soldier displays to the victim the head spiked on his sabre. The third (de bry), slashed with sabre-cuts and dropping a dispatch-box, flees before a mob of soldiers. On the left is the back of the travelling carriage, with three trunks inscribed respectively: 'roberjot', 'bonnier', 'jean debry'. An open dispatch-box with papers is on the ground. After the title: '"now you shall see! how the cruel austrians turn'd the heads of \ "two french gentlemen, whose brains were deraigned. ' 22 may 1799 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1799. Dimensions: Height: 257 mm; Width: 362 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Ange Louis Antoine Bonnier d'Argo. Collection: British Museum. The High method of destroying Vermin at Rat-stadt. (BM 1868,0808.12526)