Transparency. Exhibited at R. Ackermann’s in the Strand

The Second Peace of Paris was signed on 20 November 1815 and news was published in London three days later. Rudolph Ackermann exhibited this triumphalist transparency at his shop in the Strand: Blücher drives Napoleon down a flight of steps while Wellington leads Louis up to the throne.

On the top step flanking the throne, Blücher fires a blunderbuss point-blank at the back of Napoleon who flees and falls, while two elderly French civilians have fallen head foremost to the base of the stairs. Above Blücher's head an air-borne Fame blows her trumpet towards the throne. On the opposite side Wellington, pointing with his hat to the throne, leads the stout Louis XVIII up the stairs. The King is followed by four of his family (or adherents), one of whom supports him from below; another holds the crown on a cushion. As a pendant to Fame, Justice reclines upon clouds above Wellington and Louis, holding her sword and scales.