Artwork

Buonaparte Ordering Five Hundred & Eighty of his wounded Soldiers to be poisoned at Jaffa

Buonaparte Ordering Five Hundred & Eighty of his wounded Soldiers to be poisoned at Jaffa is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Robert Ker, Sir Porter. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour drawing by Sir Robert Ker Porter depicts a controversial event from Napoleon's 1799 campaign.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour drawing by Sir Robert Ker Porter depicts a controversial event from Napoleon's 1799 campaign. Created in 1803, it shows a dramatic and disturbing scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the alleged poisoning of around 580 wounded French soldiers at Jaffa, ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte. The scene is tense, with figures reacting to the event, conveyed through loose, expressive lines.

Technique & Style

Porter used quick, uneven lines to capture the action and emotion of the scene, creating a sense of urgency. The sketchy style suits the dramatic and disturbing subject matter.

History & Provenance

The watercolour was later published as an etching in London as part of a British propaganda campaign against Napoleon. It was acquired from C. Powney in June 1965.

Context

The work is significant for its historical context, reflecting the intense anti-Napoleonic sentiment of the time. It may have influenced later depictions of Napoleonic violence, such as those by Francisco Goya.