Spotprent op Napoleon, 1813 1813

This hand-colored etching, “Spotprent op Napoleon,” was made in 1813 by an anonymous artist. The print depicts a profile of Napoleon, but with a twist that invites us to decode its symbolism. The artist presents us with a portrait where Napoleon's face and body are inscribed with loss. His face is marred by sores, suggesting disease or decay. More striking, however, is the choice to represent his torso as a map of Europe, divided by what appears to be a fractured, central emblem. This emblem, which should represent unity and strength, is broken, highlighting the fragmentation and turmoil Napoleon brought to the continent. The uniform, typically a symbol of power, here looks like an overburdened and ill-fitting geography. The visual encoding uses recognizable symbols—maps, uniforms, and portraits—to undermine and critique Napoleon's regime. The print challenges fixed meanings by turning Napoleon's image into a landscape of his political failures.