"Pitt as Don Quixote (and Petruchio) bestrides a sorry rosinante, the white horse of Hanover, scarred and decrepit and apparently at the point of death. Behind him sits the King of Prussia. Holland, as Sancho Panza, on the animal's hind-quarters, clasps Prussia round the waist. The Sultan, on the extreme left, crouches behind the horse, kissing its tail. Pitt, who holds a whip, points a thin mail-clad hand arrogantly at Catherine of Russia (right), a stout woman who has sunk in terror to her knees, but is supported by the Emperor Leopold and by France, a grotesquely lean Frenchman of the old régime, wearing a cocked hat ornamented with fleur-de-lis. Pitt wears Mambrino's helmet (the barber's basin) surmounted by a crown and a feather. He says: ""Katharine, that cap of yours becomes you not; "Off with that bauble, 'tis my royal will." The 'cap' is a crescent in her hair, symbolizing her conquests from Turkey and, more especially, Oczakoff, the place in dispute. Pitt's horse (George III), says, weeping, "Heigho! to have myself thus rid to death, by a Boy & his playmates, merely to frighten an Old Woman - I wish I was back in Hanover to get myself a belly full". A holster on the animal's neck is inscribed 'G.R', but the 'G' has been struck out and replaced by 'P' (to indicate that Pitt has usurped the prerogative of the Crown, cf. BMSat 7479, &c). The King of Prussia, with his chin on Pitt's shoulder, glares fiercely; he holds a drawn sabre and says, "Blood & Dunder, I would give her one good Prussian stroking". Sancho Panza, a fat Dutchman, says, "I'm in a good humour to give her a dram of right Holland's". The crouching Turk cries obsequiously, "Amman! Amman! Anglois, Alia, Alia". Catherine is terrified, she turns away from Pitt exclaiming: ""I see my Lances are but straws; "My strength is weak, my weakness past compare; "And am asham'd, that Women are so simple "To offer War when they should kneel for Peace." France says, "O, by Gar! if Mirabeau was but 'live! Sacre Dieu." The Emperor, who is crowned, and wears a cloak on which is the Habsburg eagle, says, "Das is de devil, to give up all again". Beside Catherine is a sword tying across a plan of a fortress, Oczakow."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
What you will and Modern Quixote
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to Don Quixote -- Horse of Hanover -- George III as the Horse of Hanover -- Weapons: sabre -- Horse whip -- Allusion to Oczakow -- Allusion to Triple Alliance (England, Prussia and Holland)., and Watermark: J Whatman.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 20th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Catherine II, Empress of Russia, 1729-1796, Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, 1747-1792, Frederick William II, King of Prussia, 1744-1797, Selim III, Sultan of the Turks, 1761-1808, and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
"A scaffold extends across the foreground: Fox raises an axe to strike the neck of George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. The scaffold is surrounded by a dense and cheering mob. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. The houses of the Strand recede in perspective and terminate in Temple Bar, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses east of Temple Bar. On the clouds a meretricious Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant. The King's neck rests on a narrow block, his shaved head appears bald, his legs are held up by Horne Tooke, who stands on the left, saying: "O, such a day as this, so renown'd so victorious, Such a day as this was never seen Revolutionists so gay; - while Aristocrats notorious, Tremble at the universal glee." From Tooke's pocket projects a paper: 'Petition of Horne Tooke' (against the return of Fox and Hood for Westminster, see British Museum Satires No. 7690). The King, who supports himself on his hands, says, "What! What! What! - what's the matter now". Fox, enormously stout, straddles behind the King, full face his axe raised in both hands; he wears a mask with large circular eye-holes and fox's ears; he says: "Zounds! what the devil is it that puts me into such a hell of a Funk? - damn it, it is but giving one good blow, & all is settled! - but what if I should miss my aim! - ah! it's the fear of that which makes me stink so! - & yet, damnation! what should I be afraid of? if I should not succeed, why nobody can find me out in this Mask, any more than the Man who chop'd the Calf's-head off, a Hundred & Forty Years ago - and so here goes!" Sheridan kneels in profile to the left holding the King by the ear and nose, he looks up at Fox with a sinister scowl, saying, "Hell & Damnation, dont be afraid give a home stroke, & then throw off the Mask - Zounds, I wish I had hold of the Hatchet." Priestley, behind Sheridan, leans towards the King, saying, "Don't be alarmed at your situation, my dear Brother; we must all dye once; and, therefore what does it signify whether we dye today or tomorrow - in fact, a Man ought to be glad of the opportunity of dying, if by that means he can serve his Country, in bringing about a glorious Revolution: - & as to your Soul, or any thing after death don't trouble yourself about that; depend on it, the Idea of a future state, is all an imposition: & as every thing here is vanity & vexation of spirit, you should therefore rejoice at the moment which will render you easy & quiet". He holds a paper: 'Priestley on a Future State'. Sir Cecil Wray stands with his right hand on Sheridan's shoulder, saying, "Here do give me a little room Joseph that I may be in readiness to catch the droppings of the Small Beer when it is tapp'd; I never can bear to see the Small Beer wasted Joseph!" He holds in his left hand a small cask, 'For Small Beer', and a large pipe; in his pocket is a paper: 'Plan of Chelsea Hospital by Sir Ceci[l] Wray'. The Queen is cruelly caricatured; she swings against Pitt, who is in a death agony with crisped fingers."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Mounted to 37 x 55 cm., and Collector's annotations on mount.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 19th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804, and Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805
Subject (Topic):
Axes, Executioners, Hangings (Executions), and Crowds
"A scaffold extends across the foreground: Fox raises an axe to strike the neck of George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. The scaffold is surrounded by a dense and cheering mob. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. The houses of the Strand recede in perspective and terminate in Temple Bar, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses east of Temple Bar. On the clouds a meretricious Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant. The King's neck rests on a narrow block, his shaved head appears bald, his legs are held up by Horne Tooke, who stands on the left, saying: "O, such a day as this, so renown'd so victorious, Such a day as this was never seen Revolutionists so gay; - while Aristocrats notorious, Tremble at the universal glee." From Tooke's pocket projects a paper: 'Petition of Horne Tooke' (against the return of Fox and Hood for Westminster, see British Museum Satires No. 7690). The King, who supports himself on his hands, says, "What! What! What! - what's the matter now". Fox, enormously stout, straddles behind the King, full face his axe raised in both hands; he wears a mask with large circular eye-holes and fox's ears; he says: "Zounds! what the devil is it that puts me into such a hell of a Funk? - damn it, it is but giving one good blow, & all is settled! - but what if I should miss my aim! - ah! it's the fear of that which makes me stink so! - & yet, damnation! what should I be afraid of? if I should not succeed, why nobody can find me out in this Mask, any more than the Man who chop'd the Calf's-head off, a Hundred & Forty Years ago - and so here goes!" Sheridan kneels in profile to the left holding the King by the ear and nose, he looks up at Fox with a sinister scowl, saying, "Hell & Damnation, dont be afraid give a home stroke, & then throw off the Mask - Zounds, I wish I had hold of the Hatchet." Priestley, behind Sheridan, leans towards the King, saying, "Don't be alarmed at your situation, my dear Brother; we must all dye once; and, therefore what does it signify whether we dye today or tomorrow - in fact, a Man ought to be glad of the opportunity of dying, if by that means he can serve his Country, in bringing about a glorious Revolution: - & as to your Soul, or any thing after death don't trouble yourself about that; depend on it, the Idea of a future state, is all an imposition: & as every thing here is vanity & vexation of spirit, you should therefore rejoice at the moment which will render you easy & quiet". He holds a paper: 'Priestley on a Future State'. Sir Cecil Wray stands with his right hand on Sheridan's shoulder, saying, "Here do give me a little room Joseph that I may be in readiness to catch the droppings of the Small Beer when it is tapp'd; I never can bear to see the Small Beer wasted Joseph!" He holds in his left hand a small cask, 'For Small Beer', and a large pipe; in his pocket is a paper: 'Plan of Chelsea Hospital by Sir Ceci[l] Wray'. The Queen is cruelly caricatured; she swings against Pitt, who is in a death agony with crisped fingers."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., 1 print : etching, hand-colored, on laid paper ; sheet 353 x 502 mm., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with loss of imprint., and Watermark: A. Stace 18[...?].
Publisher:
Pubd. July 19th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804, and Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805
Subject (Topic):
Axes, Executioners, Hangings (Executions), and Crowds
"A scaffold extends across the foreground: Fox raises an axe to strike the neck of George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. The scaffold is surrounded by a dense and cheering mob. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. The houses of the Strand recede in perspective and terminate in Temple Bar, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses east of Temple Bar. On the clouds a meretricious Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant. The King's neck rests on a narrow block, his shaved head appears bald, his legs are held up by Horne Tooke, who stands on the left, saying: "O, such a day as this, so renown'd so victorious, Such a day as this was never seen Revolutionists so gay; - while Aristocrats notorious, Tremble at the universal glee." From Tooke's pocket projects a paper: 'Petition of Horne Tooke' (against the return of Fox and Hood for Westminster, see BMSat 7690). The King, who supports himself on his hands, says, "What! What! What! - what's the matter now". Fox, enormously stout, straddles behind the King, full face his axe raised in both hands; he wears a mask with large circular eye-holes and fox's ears; he says: "Zounds! what the devil is it that puts me into such a hell of a Funk? - damn it, it is but giving one good blow, & all is settled! - but what if I should miss my aim! - ah! it's the fear of that which makes me stink so! - & yet, damnation! what should I be afraid of? if I should not succeed, why nobody can find me out in this Mask, any more than the Man who chop'd the Calf's-head off, a Hundred & Forty Years ago - and so here goes!" Sheridan kneels in profile to the left holding the King by the ear and nose, he looks up at Fox with a sinister scowl, saying, "Hell & Damnation, dont be afraid give a home stroke, & then throw off the Mask - Zounds, I wish I had hold of the Hatchet." Priestley, behind Sheridan, leans towards the King, saying, "Don't be alarmed at your situation, my dear Brother; we must all dye once; and, therefore what does it signify whether we dye today or tomorrow - in fact, a Man ought to be glad of the opportunity of dying, if by that means he can serve his Country, in bringing about a glorious Revolution: - & as to your Soul, or any thing after death don't trouble yourself about that; depend on it, the Idea of a future state, is all an imposition: & as every thing here is vanity & vexation of spirit, you should therefore rejoice at the moment which will render you easy & quiet". He holds a paper: 'Priestley on a Future State'. Sir Cecil Wray stands with his right hand on Sheridan's shoulder, saying, "Here do give me a little room Joseph that I may be in readiness to catch the droppings of the Small Beer when it is tapp'd; I never can bear to see the Small Beer wasted Joseph!" He holds in his left hand a small cask, 'For Small Beer', and a large pipe; in his pocket is a paper: 'Plan of Chelsea Hospital by Sir Ceci[l] Wray'. The Queen is cruelly caricatured; she swings against Pitt, who is in a death agony with crisped fingers."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from caption below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Plate numbered "57" in upper right corner., Restrike for Bohn's "Supressed plates". Cf. no. 7892 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., On same sheet, verso: Alecto and her train at the gate of Pandaemonium ..., and Printed 1851.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 19th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804, and Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805
"The Duke of York leads his bride to the King and Queen, who are seated side by side on the throne (right), much caricatured, making gestures of eager greed. The King looks through a glass, the Queen holds out her apron to catch the coins which the Duchess holds in her apron. Behind the pair on the extreme left walks a gigantic Prussian soldier with extravagantly long moustaches, carrying a large money-bag under each arm, inscribed '£100000' and '£100 ...'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at top of image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., 1 print : etching plate mark 25 x 35.2 cm., on sheet 26 x 36 cm., and On wove paper, hand-colored.
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 22d, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, and Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherina, Princess, Duchess of York, 1767-1820
Subject (Topic):
Avarice, Coins, Dowry, Military uniforms, Prussian, Reception rooms, Royal weddings, Skull & crossbones, Telescopes, and Thrones
"The Duke of York leads his bride to the King and Queen, who are seated side by side on the throne (right), much caricatured, making gestures of eager greed. The King looks through a glass, the Queen holds out her apron to catch the coins which the Duchess holds in her apron. Behind the pair on the extreme left walks a gigantic Prussian soldier with extravagantly long moustaches, carrying a large money-bag under each arm, inscribed '£100000' and '£100 ...'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at top of image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., With Horace Walpole's manuscript annotations: Duchess of York / Duke of York / Queen / King., and Mounted to 28 x 38 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 22d, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, and Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherina, Princess, Duchess of York, 1767-1820
Subject (Topic):
Avarice, Coins, Dowry, Military uniforms, Prussian, Reception rooms, Royal weddings, Skull & crossbones, Telescopes, and Thrones
"A burlesque of Fuseli's well-known picture illustrating 'Macbeth', i. 3. The three witches are Dundas, Pitt, and Thurlow, in profile to the right instead of to the left. Fuseli's drapery is replaced by clouds, and the three gaze with reflective and apprehensive intensity at the moon (right): the Queen's smiling profile in a brightly lit crescent faces them, enclosing the old moon, the darkened head of the King (eclipsed), with closed eyes in profile to the right. Each witch presses the fingers of his left hand (drawn with much expressiveness) to his lips (- 'each at once her choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips'); the outstretched left arm of Fuseli's picture is absent: they appear to be seeking knowledge of the future from the moon, not foretelling it."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Wierd sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon and Weird sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Dedication etched above image: To H. Fuzelli Esqr. this attempt in the caricatura-sublime, is respectfully dedicated., and One line quotation below title: "They should be women! and yet their beards forbid us to interpret, that they are so."
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 23d, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Fuseli, Henry, 1741-1825, and Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Subject (Topic):
Adaptations, parodies, etc, Regency, Politics and government, Eclipses, Moon, Politicians, Sun, and Witches
"A burlesque of Fuseli's well-known picture illustrating 'Macbeth', i. 3. The three witches are Dundas, Pitt, and Thurlow, in profile to the right instead of to the left. Fuseli's drapery is replaced by clouds, and the three gaze with reflective and apprehensive intensity at the moon (right): the Queen's smiling profile in a brightly lit crescent faces them, enclosing the old moon, the darkened head of the King (eclipsed), with closed eyes in profile to the right. Each witch presses the fingers of his left hand (drawn with much expressiveness) to his lips (- 'each at once her choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips'); the outstretched left arm of Fuseli's picture is absent: they appear to be seeking knowledge of the future from the moon, not foretelling it."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Wierd sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon and Weird sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Dedication etched above image: To H. Fuzelli Esqr. this attempt in the caricatura-sublime, is respectfully dedicated., One line quotation below title: "They should be women! and yet their beards forbid us to interpret, that they are so.", and Mounted.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 23d, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Fuseli, Henry, 1741-1825, and Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Subject (Topic):
Adaptations, parodies, etc, Regency, Politics and government, Eclipses, Moon, Politicians, Sun, and Witches
"A burlesque of Fuseli's well-known picture illustrating 'Macbeth', i. 3. The three witches are Dundas, Pitt, and Thurlow, in profile to the right instead of to the left. Fuseli's drapery is replaced by clouds, and the three gaze with reflective and apprehensive intensity at the moon (right): the Queen's smiling profile in a brightly lit crescent faces them, enclosing the old moon, the darkened head of the King (eclipsed), with closed eyes in profile to the right. Each witch presses the fingers of his left hand (drawn with much expressiveness) to his lips (- 'each at once her choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips'); the outstretched left arm of Fuseli's picture is absent: they appear to be seeking knowledge of the future from the moon, not foretelling it."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Wierd sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon and Weird sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from description of earlier state in the British Museum catalogue., Publisher and date of publication from those of the volume in which the plate was issued., Dedication etched above image: To H. Fuzelli Esqr. this attempt in the caricatura-sublime, is respectfully dedicated., One line quotation below title: "They should be women! and yet their beards forbid us to interpret, that they are so.", Plate numbered "68" in upper right corner., Plate from: The works of James Gillray, from the original plates ... London : Printed for H.G. Bohn by C. Whiting, [1849?]., For an earlier state lacking plate number, see no. 7937 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., and Printed on verso, left half only, an uncolored impression of James Gillray's: The Pacific entrance of Earl-Wolf into Blackhaven.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 23d, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street [i.e. H.G. Bohn]
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Fuseli, Henry, 1741-1825, and Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Subject (Topic):
Adaptations, parodies, etc, Regency, Politics and government, Eclipses, Moon, Politicians, Sun, and Witches