The dissolution, or, The alchymist producing an aetherial representation [graphic] / Js. Gy. des. et fect.
Found In:
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library > The dissolution, or, The alchymist producing an aetherial representation [graphic] / Js. Gy. des. et fect.
Description
- Title
- The dissolution, or, The alchymist producing an aetherial representation [graphic] / Js. Gy. des. et fect.
- Alternative Title
- Alchymist producing an aetherial representation
- Creator
- Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker.
- Contributor
-
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership.
Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
Harvey, Francis--Ownership.
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons. - Copyright Date
- [21 May 1796]
- Abstract
-
"Pitt as an alchemist, but dressed as usual, sits in his laboratory blowing a furnace with bellows formed of a royal crown. The furnace heats a large glass retort in which the House of Commons is being dissolved: the galleries are collapsing, the Speaker's chair is breaking, he and the clerks are asleep, the broken mace drops from the table, the books fly into the air and ascend with documents, &c, into the curving neck of the retort: 'Coke', 'Acts', 'Statutes', 'Rights of Parliament', 'Magna Charta', 'Bill of Rights', a cap of 'Libertas', the scales of Justice are flying upwards. The Ministerial members applaud; the Opposition are dismayed. Sheridan and Fox, though tiny, are conspicuous on the front bench. A stream of vapour issues from the mouth of the retort containing tiny grovelling figures of abject members who fill both sides of another House of Commons above and behind the alchemist's head, and prostrate themselves before a miniature Pitt, who sits on a throne which replaces the Speaker's chair, and is inscribed 'Perpetual Dictator'. He sits arrogantly, holding a sceptre; his legs are those of a bird of prey (cf. BMSat 7478), one foot is planted on 'Mag[na] C[harta]' and 'Acts of Parl[iament]'. His throne is surmounted by his crest, a stork holding an anchor, with the addition of a crown on the bird's head. A smaller retort on the extreme left, inscribed 'Aqua Regia', adds its vapour to that produced by Pitt. (Aqua Regia, used punningly, with a double meaning, is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids which converts metals, even gold, into chlorides.) Pitt (the Alchemist) and the figures he is evoking, as well as the ministerialists in the dissolving House, wear the blue coat with red facings of the Windsor uniform. He sits in profile to the right on the model of a high rectangular building, 'a bastille', having a row of windows on the top story only; it is a 'Model of the new Barracks'. From his pocket hangs a paper: 'Receipe - Antidotus Republica'. On the right of the circular furnace is a coal-scuttle, inscribed 'Treasury Cole' (cf. BMSat 6213), and overflowing with guineas. On the other side is a pestle and mortar in which is Britannia's shield, about to be broken up. From the roof hang emblems of nefarious wizardry: a crocodile, a headsman's axe, a scorpion, a bull's head, a locust (cf. BMSat 8669), an asp issuing from an egg, a bat. On the wall are three rows of large jars, some with inscriptions: 'Ointment of Caterpillars' (beside Pitt's head, cf. BMSat 8676), '[Univer]sal Panacea', 'Oil of Influence', 'Extract of British Blood', 'Spirit of Sal: Machiavel.'"--British Museum online catalogue.
- Extent
- 1 print : etching on wove paper ; plate mark 36.3 x 26.0 cm, on sheet 44 x 29 cm
- Extent of Digitization
- This object has been completely digitized.
- Language
-
English
Collection Information
- Repository
- Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Call Number
- Auchincloss Gillray v. 4
Subjects, Formats, And Genres
- Format
- still image
- Genre
-
Etchings--England--London--1796.
Satires (Visual works)--England--1796.
Watermarks (Paper)--J Whatman.--CtY-LW - Subject (Name)
-
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership.
Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
Harvey, Francis--Ownership.
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons.
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.
- Citation
-
Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 7, no. 8805
Wright, T. Works of James Gillray, the caricaturist with the history of his life and times, p. 203
Identifiers
- Orbis Record
- 8081231
- Object ID (OID)
- 11823812