The Grand Coronation Procession of Napoleon the 1st Emperor of France, from the Church of...

Gillray's most famous and elaborate lampoon of the royal couple, this print appeared on New Year's Day in 1805, less than a month after the coronation; it was said to have enraged Napoleon whenever he saw it. In the center of the composition, a bloated Josephine marches proudly forward; at her side, the emperor is lost in his oversized and excessively ornamented costume. While this caricature is meant to degrade Napoleon, it acknowledges the reality captured in many other images: Josephine wielded significant power, influence, and ambition. Captions in the lower margin identifying individuals and groups following the processional order (r. to l.): 1. His Imperial Highness Prince Louis-Buonoparte Marboeuf - High Constable of the Empire. 2. The Three Imperial Graces, viz. Their High Princess Borghese, Princess Louis (cher amie of ye Emperor) & Princess Joseph Bonaparte. 3. Madame Talleyrand (ci devant Mrs Halhead the Prophetess conducting the Heir Apparent in the ye Path of Glory. 4. Talleyrand-Perigord. - Prime Minister and King at Arms bearing the Emperor's Genealogy. 5. His Holiness Pope Pius VII, - conducted by his old faithful friend: - Cardinal Fesch, offering the Incense. 6. His Imperial Majesty Napoleone ye Ist and the Empress Josephine. 7. Ladies of Honor, (ci-devant Poissardes) - Train-Bearers to ye Empress. 8. Puissant Continental-Powers, Train-Bearers to the Empress. 9. Berthier, Bernadotte, Augerou, - and all the Brave Train of the Republican - Generals, marching in the procession. 10. Senator Fouché, Intendant General of ye Police, bearing the sword of Justice. 11. Garde d'Honneur, finishing the Procession.