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1836 Handcolored Print Andrew Jackson v. FRENCH

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Rare 1836 Andrew Jackson Related Print

1836, Hand-Colored Famous Print of Conflict between French Monarch Louis-Philippe and President Andrew Jackson, Choice Very Fine.
Hand-colored print, 15.75" x 19.5", maker unknown--but probably American--featuring a pointed contrast of French and American governments, with representatives of each nation standing on two small patches of land, scowling at each other. Exceptional print with nice, even toning and foxing; sharp, vivid coloration. The print is well-drawn for an American print of the period and the colors greatly enhance the details.
On the left is a small island with King Louis-Philippe, several of his ministers or officers, and an overturned chest from which issue statements of the country's debts and a picture of "Fieschi" dated July 28, 1835 (Republican conspirator Giuseppe Maria Fieschi unsuccessfully tried to assassinate King Louis-Philippe of France on July 28, 1835). Louis-Philippe holds in his hand a card reading "Fortunate speculation 25 millions." One of his officers forcibly impresses a seaman, and points toward the ship "Dido" which is anchored offshore. The text below reads, in full: "The debilitated situation of a monarchal Government when puffed up by pride and self-importance, whose resources must be wrung from the people's hands. The difficulties to which such a State must ever be exposed."
The scene is contrasted with one on the opposite shore where four American officers stand near a chest full of money. The chest has inside its lid a beautiful picture of the Capitol. The foremost officer, a surprisingly young-looking Andrew Jackson, holds up the Treaty of 1831. Behind him a gentleman offers a bag of money, a sailor waves his cap, and an armed citizen stands by. Near the chest is a book open to a list of American victories, and in the distance three ships are anchored: the "Constitution", "New Orleans" and an unnamed vessel. The caption below reads: "The flourishing condition of a well-formed industrious Republic. The willingness displayed by the citizen of a free State to serve his country with his blood and fortune."
An engraved medallion below depicts a Liberty head, surrounded by stars. Below the medallion are eight lines from Lord Byron's "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," praising American liberty and questioning Europe's prospects for freedom.



The print was prompted by events in 1836, surrounding American efforts to force France to honor spoilation claims for American losses suffered during the Napoleonic Wars. The Americans had been promised recompense by the Treaty of 1831, and in 1836 the debt had not yet been repaid.

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