Pitt as a peepshow man stands in front of his box while John Bull, drawn here as a simpleton, looks inside. Pitt pulls a string on the box with his right hand and with his left hand pulls a bag from John Bull's pocket. Slung over John Bull's shoulder is a trumpet with a fringed a banner decorated with the royal arms. The flag above Pitt's pagoda-like box reads: "Licensed by authority the Grand Exhibition by moving mecanism or deception of the senses."
Alternative Title:
Billy's raree-show or John Bull enlighten'd, John Bull enlightened, and Billy's rare-show
Description:
Title from item., Attributed to Ansell. Cf. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 7, no. 9030., A preliminary drawing for print entitled Billy's raree-show or John Bull enlighten'd? Date of production inferred from the publication date of the etching., and Paper that has been oiled possibly to be translucent for the transfer process. Edges are tattered with old folds in the corners.
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Subject (Topic):
Anglo-French War, 1793-1802, John Bull (Symbolic character), and Peepshows
"The Prince of Wales ..., sword in hand, gallantly protects Britannia against the attack of three conspirators: Pitt raises a headsman's axe in both hands; Grafton, holding a conspirator's lantern, is about to strike her with a dagger; Richmond ... fires a musket, resting one knee on a cannon. The Prince wears a coronet with three ostrich feathers, he holds out his shield behind Britannia, who cowers towards him in terror."--British Museum online catalogue, description of the print for which this is the original drawing
Description:
Titled by the artist in brown ink below image., Attributed to Rowlandson., Original drawing for a print of the same title published by H. Holland on 7 February 1789. Cf. No. 7503 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., and Cf. Grego, J. Rowlandson the caricaturist, v. 1, page 247.
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of, 1735-1811, and Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, Duke of, 1735-1806
The arms of two gibbets extend symmetrically, high above a bonfire; between them is an equally high post supporting a board on which the title is etched. From one (right) dangles a realistic effigy of Napoleon (scarcely caricatured) in cocked hat, uniform, and Hessian boots. From the other hangs a ruffianly fellow holding a dark lantern. They face each other in profile
Description:
Title from ink annotation, centered at the top of the sheet within the design., Unsigned; attributed to Rowlandson., and Preliminary pencil sketch of a print published by R. Ackermann on 27 November 1813. Cf. No. 12103 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 9.
Subject (Name):
Fawkes, Guy, 1570-1606, Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Woodward, G. M. (George Moutard), approximately 1760-1809, artist
Published / Created:
[approximately 1801]
Call Number:
Drawings W87 no. 28 Box D180
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
The surface of a platform stretches across the design; on this Pitt (right), valiant but anxious, faces the massive Russian bear, Paul, behind whom stands a stout ferocious-looking Russian soldier (like a showman with a performing animal), nearsightedly reading a document: 'Be it known to all men, - that my master, - the most Magnanimous [see BMSat 9415] most puissant, most powerful and most wonderful great Bear of the north - being in his sound and sober senses - Challenges the Whole World to single combat - and commences his first trial of skill, here in Moorfields, after which it is his intention to persue his Travels, and visit every Court in Europe - Asia - Africa - and America'. The bear wears a plumed crown, a collar inscribed 'Paul Bruin', to which are attached the massive links of a chain. His drawn sword is 'Temper'd-á-lá-Suwarrow!' On his shield is a grotesque head with gaping mouth, and the inscription 'Swallow All O.' Pitt wears a plumed helmet and light armour. His sword is 'Temper'd á-lá Nelson', his shield is inscribed 'Howe', 'Duncan', 'Nelson', 'Jervaise' [St. Vincent], 'Warren', 'Parker'. The platform is surrounded by a dense and jovial crowd. The windows and roofs of the adjacent houses are crowded with tiny waving figures; a boy sits on the high wall before a bunding inscribed 'Moor Fields' and probably intended for Bedlam
Alternative Title:
Magnanimous Paul O! challenging all O
Description:
Title and date from Rowlandson print after this drawing., Attributed to Woodward., For the print based on this drawing see: Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, no. 9702., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Paul I, Emperor of Russia, 1754-1801, St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823., Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799., Duncan of Camperdown, Adam Duncan, Viscount, 1731-1804., Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805., and Suvorov, Aleksandr Vasilʹevich, kni︠a︡zʹ Italiĭskiĭ, 1730-1800.