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A Christmas Tree for the young French Prince, 1859
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A Christmas Tree for the young French Prince, 1859
A Christmas Tree for the young French Prince, 1859. Mr Punch There, my dear, put away that nasty thing, and plant this. Mr Punch reflects the mood of the people when he expresses his fears about the aims of the Emperor Napoleon. However, in accordance with the spirit of the season, he presents the next generation of Frenchmen, represented here by Napoleons young son, with the tree of True Liberty. Topped with the hat often shown in Punch to identify France, Mr Punch hopes that the spirit of Christmas will prevail. It is worth noticing, though, that the young Prince Imperial, is in military dress and is armed! From Punch, or the London Charivari, December 24, 1859
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14829323
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Bonaparte Charles Louis Napoléon Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte Christmas Christmas Tree Emperor Napoleon Iii Heritage Image Partnership Liberty Louis Napoleon Mr Punch Napoleon Bonaparte Iii Napoleon Iii Peace Punch Punchinello
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print titled "A Christmas Tree for the young French Prince, 1859" we witness a powerful political statement cleverly disguised as a festive scene. Mr Punch, the iconic character from Punch magazine, expresses his concerns about Emperor Napoleon's intentions by urging him to abandon his militaristic ambitions and embrace True Liberty instead. The image showcases Napoleons' young son, the Prince Imperial of France, standing before a beautifully adorned Christmas tree. Symbolizing hope and peace, the tree is crowned with a hat commonly associated with France in Punch cartoons. Mr Punch hopes that through the spirit of Christmas, peace will prevail over war. However, it is intriguing to note that despite being presented with True Liberty on this joyous occasion, the young prince stands dressed in military attire and armed with a sword. This juxtaposition suggests an underlying tension between aspirations for freedom and France's historical inclination towards warfare. This engraving captures not only the anxieties of its time but also reflects broader themes such as religion (Christianity), royalty, nationalism (France), and concepts like liberty and peace during the 19th century. The monochrome aesthetic adds depth to this heritage image partnership between artistry and politics. As we delve into this thought-provoking artwork from 1859 by Heritage Images' Print Collector1 collection, let us contemplate how history often intertwines with tradition during moments of celebration while reminding ourselves of our collective responsibility to strive for harmony amidst uncertainty.
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