A 1813 political etching by Wijnand Esser depicting Napoleon Bonaparte suffering a nightmare in the form of a British bulldog.

This etching by Wijnand Esser, titled 'Napoleons Engelse nachtmerrie' (Napoleon's English Nightmare), serves as a piece of political propaganda from 1813. During this period, the Dutch public expressed growing hostility toward French occupation. The print depicts Napoleon Bonaparte lying in bed, visibly distressed, as a bulldog sits upon his chest. The bulldog, a traditional symbol of Great Britain, represents the external pressure and military threat posed by the British forces against the French Emperor.

The composition is structured within a formalised interior space, featuring a canopy bed and a chair placed to the side. The artist employs clear, precise lines characteristic of the etching techniques of the early nineteenth century. The text included within the image, presented as speech bubbles, adds a layer of narrative commentary to the scene. The bulldog declares its intent to do as it pleases with the Emperor, reflecting the shifting power dynamics of the Napoleonic Wars. The title below the image, 'De Nagtmerri beryd Napolion of Papa Violet', refers to the anti-Napoleonic sentiment that permeated Dutch society at the time.

Esser, based in The Hague, produced this work during a time of significant political upheaval. The print is not merely a caricature but a reflection of the collective anxiety and desire for liberation from French rule. The visual language is direct, focusing on the vulnerability of the once-mighty leader when confronted by the persistent British presence. The stark contrast between the figure of Napoleon and the aggressive posture of the dog creates a clear visual hierarchy. This work remains a document of the visual culture used to influence public opinion during the final years of the First French Empire.