‘Guerre aux Liberaux’, 1789-1799

Description

Mounted hand coloured etching entitled ‘Guerre aux Libéraux.’ (English translation: ‘War of the Liberals’) designed by “CP.”, etched by anon and published by Martinet, around the late 1700s (undated).
This is a satire from around the time of the French Revolution (1789 until 1799). Seven animal-headed figures process from right to left, carrying different objects. Above each figure is an inscription written in French.

The first figure, dressed in rich livery and carrying a halberd (a two-handed pole weapon), says: “en avant les Debats? Sur l’air: triste raison… dans les bienfaits aux Dos.”

The next bespectacled figure, carrying a candle, and with a drug jar under his arm, says: “le Voila! le Gd. Conservateur … …… des Cornichons.”

The third carries a white flag, and plays a clyster syringe: “moi, j’en detache de la flute a deux fin; C’est dommage que l’Embouchure n’est pas nete.”

There follows a pregnant dog-headed woman, carrying a loaf of bread under one arm: “Oh! la la! … n’allez