Powerless Collection

Napoleon at Fontainebleau During the First Abdication - 31 March 1814, (1845). Artist: Paul Delaroche
Napoleon at Fontainebleau During the First Abdication - 31 March 1814, (1845). The invasion of France by the Allies culminated in Napoleons abdication of 11 April

Native Texas tenant farmer, Near Goodliet, Texas, 1938. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Native Texas tenant farmer. Near Goodliet, Texas. Aged seventy; seventeen years on the same farm. Is to be "tractored out" at the end of 1938

The Unequal Marriage, 1862, (1965). Creator: Vasily Pukirev
The Unequal Marriage, 1862, (1965). A Russian orthodox priest marries a young bride to a much older man in what is probably an arranged marriage

Painting, title unknown, mid 19th century. Artist: Jean Pierre Alexandre Antigna
Painting, title unknown, mid 19th century

Spitting Image puppet of Margaret Thatcher
A puppet of Margaret Thatcher, British Conservative Prime Minister, used on the satirical TV programme, Spitting Image. The book is Spycatcher by Peter Wright

Migrant woman from Arkansas living in contractors camp near Westley, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Migrant woman from Arkansas living in contractors camp near Westley, California. She would prefer to live in a government camp, but the contractor system prevents

In China (colour litho)
2818825 In China (colour litho) by Meyer, Henri (1841-99) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: In China. The cake of kings and emperors)

Powerless to Aid! (engraving)
1614532 Powerless to Aid! (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Powerless to Aid! Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 9 January 1892)

Duke of Hereford leads prisoner King Richard II into London
Henry Bolingbroke, the Duke of Hereford leading his prisoner (King Richard II) into London. Hereford was crowned King in 1399 as Henry IV. 1399

Fortune, 1871 (w / c on paper)
747062 Fortune, 1871 (w/c on paper) by Burne-Jones, Edward Coley (1833-98); 33x19.7 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

A protector (colour litho)
2818366 A protector (colour litho) by Meyer, Henri (1841-99) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A protector. Satire on the British governments relations with the Khedive of Egypt)

Smugglers car crossing the French border at speed (colour litho)
2779783 Smugglers car crossing the French border at speed (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Smugglers car crossing the French border at speed)

Wall Street Fat Cat Gambling with Other Peoples Money, 1908 (lithograph)
2622519 Wall Street Fat Cat Gambling with Other PeopleAs Money, 1908 (lithograph) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

"The rich and mighty lord was stiff and powerless in all his limbs"(engraving)
5210090 " The rich and mighty lord was stiff and powerless in all his limbs" (engraving) by Dargent, Jean Edouard (Yan) (1824-99); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Ale-house at the Toll-bridge, 1868, (1965). Creator: Vasily Perov
The Ale-house at the Toll-bridge, 1868, (1965). A Russian peasant woman sits huddled in a scarf on a sledge, waiting in the cold for her husband who is spending their meagre wages on drink in

Napoleons Departure from Fontainebleau, 20 April 1814, (c1850). Artists: Francois Pigeot
Napoleons Departure from Fontainebleau, 20 April 1814, (c1850). The defeat at the Battle of Leipzig and the subsequent invasion of France by the Allies culminated in Napoleons abdication on 11 April

The Royal Extinguisher, or the King of Brobdingnag & the Lilliputians, 1821. George IV, surrounded by admiring ministers, holds up an extinguisher made of paper

The abdication of Napoleon and his departure from Fontainebleau for Elba, 20th April 1814. The defeat at the Battle of Leipzig

King Canute failing to hold back the waves, early 11th century (c1900). Artist: Trelleek
King Canute failing to hold back the waves, early 11th century (c1900). Canute (Sveinsson Knut) (d1035) was King of England from 1016, Denmark from 1018 and Norway from 1030

Scene in the House of Commons: the Speaker coerced, 1629 (1905). Members holding down the Speaker, Sir John Finch, in his chair while resolutions against King Charles I are read out

The adieux at Fontainebleau, France, 20 April 1814 (1900). The defeat at the Battle of Leipzig and the subsequent invasion of France by the Allies culminated in Napoleons abdication on 11 April

Allegory of France of 1870, Franco-Prussian war, 1870-1871. France, seated and surrounded by the chaos and destruction of the Franco-Prussian War. From a private collection

King Canute trying to turn back the tide, early 11th century (early 20th century). Canute (Sveinsson Knut) (d1035) was King of England from 1016, Denmark from 1018 and Norway from 1030

Napoleon I, Emperor of France, in exile. Napoleon (1721-1818) enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of the French Revolutionary army

Hands chained together
UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1930s: Businessmans hands chained together. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)

Suffragette Flying Machine Asquith no. 10. Suffragettes give Mr. Asquith a rude awakening as their flying machine reaches the upper floor of number 10. Downing Street

Vain efforts of the Ultras, 1819 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XIR230716 Vain efforts of the Ultras, 1819 (engraving) (b/w photo) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Fable of the old lion, Dirk Stoop, John Ogilby, 1665

Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine in 1871 after the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. The administration of the province was difficult

Psychological state, conceptual image
Psychological state of a businessman, conceptual image. Businessman with his feet stuck in a block of clay, possibly indicating that he is stuck in a rut or powerless to instigate change in

Acts of God
Man is powerless when confronted with acts of God

Olav II Converts People
Olaf II converts the people of Gudbrandsdalen by showing them that their god Thor was powerless

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"Powerless: A Glimpse into the Struggles of Humanity" In this captivating collection of artworks and historical moments, we are confronted with the profound theme of powerlessness. From Napoleon's defeated figure at Fontainebleau to Margaret Thatcher immortalized as a Spitting Image puppet, these images remind us that even the mighty can be reduced to helplessness. Paul Delaroche's painting "Napoleon at Fontainebleau During the First Abdication" transports us to a pivotal moment in history when an emperor relinquishes his throne, embodying vulnerability amidst grandeur. Similarly, Vasily Pukirev's "The Unequal Marriage" depicts a woman trapped in an oppressive union, symbolizing powerlessness within societal constraints. Paul Joseph Jamin's thought-provoking artwork "A Rape in the Stone Age" sheds light on gender inequality throughout history. It serves as a stark reminder that countless individuals have been subjected to exploitation and abuse without any means to resist or seek justice. Jean Pierre Alexandre Antigna's untitled painting from the mid-19th century captures human despair and destitution, highlighting how poverty renders people powerless against their circumstances. Dorothea Lange's poignant photograph of a migrant woman living in squalid conditions further emphasizes the struggles faced by marginalized communities during times of economic hardship. The image depicting firefighters unable to extinguish flames due to water scarcity reminds us that even those tasked with protecting others can find themselves impotent against uncontrollable forces. Likewise, the color lithograph showcasing China portrays citizens grappling with political repression and limited agency under authoritarian rule. We also witness historical events where power dynamics shift dramatically; for instance, King Richard II being led as a prisoner by Duke of Hereford into London signifies how even monarchs can become pawns in larger games of power struggle. Amidst these tales of helplessness emerges Fortune herself depicted by w/c on paper in 1871.