1-150-464 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Lion of St Mark', 1866. The emperor of Austria, seen with his arm in a sling, is agreeing to hand over Venetia to Napoleon III and France, as the first steps in its cession to Italy, after the Austro-Prussian War. In June 1866, Prussia had declared war on Austria. A few days later, Italy had also declared war on Austria as it had promised Bismarck earlier in the year, but only if Prussia had declared war on Austria within three months. The war lasted only seven weeks, with Austria suffering a decisive defeat at the Battle of Sadowa on 3rd July 1866. Austria had no alternative then but to agree that Emperor Napoleon, on the right, should mediate to bring about a suspension of hostilities. From Punch, or the London Charivari, July 21, 1866.