1-150-246 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage Images

'The Emperor unveiling Italian Liberty', 1859. Here, upon a plinth labelled 'Liberty', Louis Napoleon unveils a crude statue of his cousin Plon-Plon and introduces him as the representative of 'Italian Liberty'. Plon-Plon's reputation for being less than bright is clearly illustrated in his vacuous expression and silly posture. Punch reports that, at this time, it was believed that one reason that Napoleon III had become involved in Italy's fight for freedom from Austrian domination was that he cherished hopes of seating his cousin, Prince Napoleon Joseph Charles Bonaparte, known in Paris contemptuously as 'Plon-Plon', upon the throne of Italy. From "Punch, or the London Charivari", October 1, 1859.