Revolution, Isaac Cruikshank, 1790

Louis xvi, stamping with agitation, bites at a rolled paper inscribed (in ink) 'a new constitution', saying, "by gar i will eat it all as fast as i could pick de leg of de volaile - oh de pauvre grand monarque". On the ground at his feet are his hat, sceptre, and crown. He urinates a stream inscribed 'despotism'. He stands between four french notables who watch him, two on each side; their names, like that of the 'k-----g', are etched beneath the design. On the extreme left the 'marqs d mira------au', a petit maître, stands in profile to the right, smiling, and taking a pinch of snuff. He says: "sac---e d------u it will make him burst and go of like de bastile". From his pocket projects a paper inscribed 'new constitution'. Beside him stands 'mr d'espre------il', a stouter man wearing top-boots and an enormous cocked hat. He says, with a gesture of dismay, "diable - if this is de case, i'm off". They stand outside the door of a building over which maison de ville has been scored through and replaced by 'justice hall trials by jury'. On the king's left stands the 'd------ d'orl------ns', threatening him with his fists and saying: "by g--d you shall swallow it or i will tip you a mendoza which i learn't of the prince - john bull for ever dam me" (the last two words scored through). He wears a short tunic with a cloak, and a long sabre with (like the king) the order of st. Louis. Beside him (right) stands the 'marqus de la fay------tte' in regimentals, saying with a perplexed expression and a deprecating gesture, "by gar you did send me to free de americans & by gar i will free mine own countrymen" behind him, in the background, soldiers with two heads on pikes, and a banner, 'vive le peuple', head a mob who are shouting "no mor bastile, no more grand monarque". Behind them the bastille, partly demolished, is on fire. 3 august 1790. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1790. Dimensions: Height: 254 mm; Width: 359 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Jean Jacques Duval d'Eprémesnil. Collection: British Museum. Revolution (BM 1868,0808.5777)