La Consultation

Cartoon showing ailing Napoleon losing crown while "Le Cardinal Fesch" takes his pulse. Napoleon asks: "Dear Cousin, how do you find my state?" The Cardinal replies: "Sire, it cannot endure; your Majesty has a very bad constitution." While this exchange between the figures depicted is more likely one that would have transpired between Napoleon and his cousin Cardinal Fesch, who was at this time in opposition to some of Napoleon's policies, the figure labeled "Le Cardinal Fesch" is actually a portrait of Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès, who held various positions under Napoleon and was instrumental in the preparation of the Code Napoleon.