Il 18. brumale, anno VIII - A drawing of an elephant in the middle of a river

Italian print published on the occasion of Napoleon's coming to power in France, November 9, 1799, following his successful campaign in Egypt. Image depicts France as a giant sphinx wearing the cap of Liberty and lying on architectural ruins and bodies. Behind the sphinx, Napoleon is unfurling a flag with his emblem of bees. The background shows a military camp within a fort, ships at sea, and four balloons flying in the distance. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.)