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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/14
Former ReferenceD5459/1/172
TitleA Prussian Cake!!
Date[1806-1807]
DescriptionFrederick-Wilhelm III of Prussia (1770-1840) sits astride a cake decorated with soldiers and the double-headed eagle, saying:
"What a cunning hand I must be - pretend to fight and not fight at all. - Snugs the word - cunning little Isaac"
Napoleon looks on from the right, and says:
"I think it shall not be long before I shall pick a few plumbs from that cake".
On the left, a figure in a crown and sceptre, possibly the Tsar, says to another crowned figure:
"It is a tempting cake - and if we mind what we are about, we shall all come in for a slice". Available on CD 158.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationIn February 1806 Prussia signed a treaty with Napoleon in which it gained all George III's German possessions and agreed to close the Baltic ports to Britain. However, the Confederation of the Rhine, headed by Napoleon, restricted Prussia's freedom, particularly its ability to exert influence on northern European states. Later in 1806 Prussia went to war against France, but was crushed at the battle of Jena. As a consequence of Tilsit, Prussia lost half of its territory.
'Cake', i.e. an idiot, is used in a number of cartoons, in reference to Prussia being made a fool of at Tilsit.
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 354 x 282 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Related MaterialFor more depictions of Napoleon see D5459/1/91 etc.
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A Prussian Cake!!

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