Vlucht van Napoleon, 1815 1815 - 1820

This political print by Christoph-Wilhelm Bock, made in 1815, uses etching to create a scene filled with caricatures and symbolic figures. The composition is structured with clear divisions; the left teeming with figures in supposed support of Napoleon, the right, a crowd of people celebrating his downfall. The allegorical figure of "Vergeld" (Retribution), with a hat, dress and banner, is placed centrally on a pedestal. The etching is designed to be read through its many visual cues and texts, which form a complex semiotic web. The artist seems to destabilize any established meanings, by layering figures with text and symbols. Bock challenges fixed meanings by satirizing historical events and figures, turning a political statement into a complex, visually engaging commentary. The linear quality of the etching technique enhances the clarity of the message, ensuring that each character and symbol contributes to the overall narrative of Napoleon's defeat.