Online Collection

The Online Collection showcases a selection of our objects for you to discover and explore. This resource will grow as the Museum's Collection is catalogued and computerised, and as new acquisitions are added.

'French alias Corsican Villainy or the Contrast to English Humanity', 1803

Coloured engraving by and after Charles Williams, published by S W Fores, London, 13 January 1804.

This print aims to show British humanity in contrast to French brutality. It also illustrates the historic belief that black soldiers were naturally aggressive and needed to be guided by British officers.

On the left Napoleon can be seen ordering the death of prisoners of war and civilians. The figure beside Napoleon is Doctor Desgenettes, who reportedly refused Napoleon's order to poison sick French soldiers with opium at the Siege of Jaffa (1799). On the right British officers are shown restraining black soldiers from killing French prisoners of war after the battle at San Domingo (1803).

NAM Accession Number

NAM. 1984-06-35-1

Copyright/Ownership

National Army Museum, Out of Copyright

Location

National Army Museum, Study collection

Object URL

https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1984-06-35-1

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