Wijnand Esser (1779-1860)
Queen Hortense of Holland haunted by Napoleon c.1810-15
Pen and black ink and watercolour over traces of graphite | RCIN 912896
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A drawing of a bedroom scene, with Queen Hortense lying on a canopied bed, and Napoleon sitting on top of her. Inscribed below: DE DAGMERRI BERYD HORTENSIA / Geweese Koningin van Holland ( The Daymare riding Hortensia / former Queen of Holland); inscribed in a speech bubble from Napoloeon's mouth: Zij vreest mij, nog mijn deegen niet (She fears neither me nor my sword); inscribed in a bubble near the queen's head: Ik word dageliijks van de / nachtmerries bereden / maar dit bereid / mij het meeste.(Everyday I am a nightmare ridden, but this beast is the heaviest rider).
This appears to be one of a pair of satirical watercolours about Napoleon. The other, Klaas Bonaparte in his Study on the Island of Elba, is in the Rijksprentenkabinet, Amsterdam.Provenance
Purchased by the Prince Regent (later George IV), 1815 (RA 28067. Colnaghi's invoice, 10 August 1815: 'Two drawings Bonaparte & Queen of Holland' @ £2 2s)
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Medium and techniques
Pen and black ink and watercolour over traces of graphite
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