Morgan's Improved Protean Scenery: Napoleon - Powerless and Powerful: metamorphic print

Fine Art : Printmaking : Napoleon : Protean : Metamorphic

 

A very unusual 'protean' or metamorphic print, entitled Napoleon - Powerless and Powerful. It is No. 9 of Morgan's Improved Protean Scenery, and described on the integral label: This Print at first represents the Exiled Emperor, musing on the sea shore, and upon holding it before the light, you will again behold him powerful - reviewing his soldiers - forming one of the most pleasing illusions that can be imagined. London. Published by W Morgan , 25 Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn Hill.

The effect is achieved by making the print from two fine papers, on the rear one of which is a representation of Napoleon's army, his aide de camp holding his horse at his side. A historic and in some ways a moving representation of the fallen dictator.

This comes with what must be its original frame, with a sliding panel at the back so that the effect can be seen, but no glass. Some foxing, as can be seen in the photographs, and the rear tissue has a tiny split which is hard to spot and in no way affects the viewed image.

Item ID: 1120