The contrast 1792 [graphic].

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Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library > The contrast 1792 [graphic].


11791649

Description

Title
The contrast 1792 [graphic].
Creator
Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker
Contributor
Murray, George, Lord, 1761-1803, artist.
Published / Created
[December 1792]
Publication Place
London
Publisher
publisher not identified
Abstract

"Two medallions placed side by side illustrate 'British Liberty' and 'French Liberty', these titles being inscribed on the borders of the medallions. [1] Britannia seated in profile to the right under an oak with her shield and the staff and cap of Liberty; in her right hand is 'Magna Charta', in her left she holds out the scales of Justice. The British lion crouches at her feet. Behind (right) is the sea with a ship in full sail. [2] A ragged Fury runs forward in profile to the left, trampling on a decapitated body; in her right hand is a trident on which is a bleeding head flanked by two hearts. In her left hand is a long dagger. Writhing serpents form her hair and her girdle. Behind (right) a body hangs from a lamp-bracket. Beneath each medallion is an inscription in large letters: 'Religion. Morality. Loyalty Obedience to the Laws Independance Personal Security Justice Inheritance Protection Property. Industry. National Prosperity Happiness. Atheism Periury Rebellion. Treason. Anarchy Murder Equality. Madness. Cruelty. Injustice Treachery Ingratitude Idleness Famine National & Private Ruin. Misery WHICH IS BEST?'."--British Museum online catalogue

Description
Title etched above images.
Printmaker, artist, and publication date from British Museum catalogue.
Later state; commas and a hyphen added to text below leftmost image and a question mark added to text "Which is best?" at bottom of plate. See British Museum catalogue.
Text in lower right corner of plate, preceded by the word "Price" that has been mostly burnished out: Plain 3d coloured 6.
Temporary local subject terms: British Lion -- Liberty: allusion to Magna Charta -- Symbols: scales of Justice -- Ships -- Symbols: ship with the Union Jack as symbol of power -- Personifications: Medusa as personification of French liberty -- Hangings: Street lantern as gibbet -- Lighting: street light -- Executions: decapitations -- Weapons: daggers -- Cap of liberty -- Britannia (Symbolic character).
1 print : etching on wove paper, hand-colored ; sheet 27.2 x 36.6 cm.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark with partial loss of the digit "6" from the end of price statement.
"3d" in price statement erased from sheet and replaced with "6" in a contemporary hand.
Mounted on leaf 50 of volume 4 of 14 volumes.
Provenance
From a collection in fourteen volumes compiled by Francis Harvey and dispersed at auction, Sotheby, London, June 1900. Sold at Sotheby, London, 12 March 1919. Bequest of Hugh Dudley Auchincloss to Yale University Library, 1981. Bound by Riviere & Son in three-quarters red morocco with gold tooling and gold lettering on spine.
Extent
1 print : two circular images 16 cm, on plate 27.5 x 37.3 cm, on sheet 31 x 49 cm
Extent of Digitization
This object has been completely digitized.
Edition
[State with added punctuation].
Language
English

Collection Information

Repository
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Call Number
Auchincloss Rowlandson v. 4

Subjects, Formats, And Genres

Genre
Satires (Visual works) England 1792
Annotations (Provenance) 18th century
Etchings England London 1792
Material
etching ; and wove paper hand-colored.
Resource Type
still image
Subjects
England > 1792
18th century
England > London > 1792
Riviere & Son > Binding
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley > Ownership
Harvey, Francis > Ownership

Access And Usage Rights

Access
Public
Rights
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Identifiers

Catalog Record
7927014
Object ID (OID)
11791649

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