“est le tableau d’une anecdote, don’t le récit est dans le journal, t. I, p. 173”

After the engraving “La clémence de Desaix” by Vivant Denon depicting French general Louis Charles Antoine Desaix carrying out justice under a palm tree in Egypt.
Desaix asks a young rifle thief to deliver the people who encouraged him to act and threatens to punish him if he is silent. The child answers while putting his cap at the feet of the general: “God alone inspired me. Here’s my head, have it cut off.”
“Poor unfortunate little one, let’s send him back!” Answers Desaix. Quote from Vivant Denon.

Last image is of the original pen, black ink and grey wash drawing (print study) for the upper image of Plate 36 of the artist’s “Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Egypte, pendant les campagnes du Général Bonaparte”, 1802.