BOSCARATI - ROSASPINA. Allegory of Italy invaded by the French.

Rare flying sheet. Complex allegorical representation that represents Italy during the first invasion of 1796. At the center of the image stand two female figures: Liberty / France intent on attacking Italy. The first, completely naked, tramples the code of laws and seizes Italy symbolized by the woman wearing the turreted crown, who in an attempt to escape drops the cornucopia on which the Gauls pounce. On the right a soldier, having laid down his arms, opens the door to the Gauls who enter hungry and eager for riches. On the left, the military engineers remain helpless and asleep. Finally, a Dog, symbolizing England, barks at the globe placed on the pedestal.

Cfr. Erminia Irace, La costruzione del’identità nazionale in Italia tra i Lumi e Napoleone, in AA.VV., L'Italia immaginata: Iconografia di una nazione, Marsilio, 2020, Fig. n. 13.