Heading:
Author: Gillray, James
Title: Ci-Devant Occupations-or-Madame Talian and the Empress Josephine Dancing Naked Before Barrass in the Winter of 1797.- A Fact!
Place Published: London
Publisher:H. Humphrey
Date Published: 1805
Description:

Engraving, matted and framed with Plexiglass. Plate approximately 34x47 cm (13½x19"); framed: 53x66 cm (21x26").

James Gillray was a British caricaturist and printmaker, famous for his etched political and social satires, mainly published between 1792 and 1810. Gillray has been called "the father of the political cartoon," with his works satirizing George III, prime ministers and generals.

Below the title: 'Barrass (then in Power) being tired of Josephine, promised Buonaparte a promotion, on condition that he would take her off his hands; - Barrass had, as usual, drank freely, & placed Buonaparte behind a Screen, while he amused himself with these two Ladies, who were then his humble dependents, - Madame Talian is a beautiful Woman, tall & elegant; - Josephine is smaller & thin, with bad Teeth, something like Cloves, - it is needless to add that Buonaparte accepted the Promotion & the Lady, - now, - Empress of France!'

Light wear to frame, with some tearing to backing paper; plate with a bit of light spotting to edges; not examined outside frame; appears very good or better.