In a possible burlesque of West's Death of Wolfe, a "wounded" Fox lies supported by his followers. He is held in the arms of Admiral Keppel, as Burke in monk's habit offers him a glass, and Mary (Perdita) Robinson applies smelling salts. North is to the right, swooning with grief and supported by Portland, while Sheridan kneels to the right in front of John Cavendish. Behind Fox at the far left the Prince of Wales kneels to kiss Perdita's unoccupied hand. A satire on the defeat of Fox's India Bill
Description:
Title from item., Print signed I.B. (i.e. John Boyne) in lower right of image., Probably a later state, with imprint removed, of a plate published by E. Hedges. Cf. No. 6367 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., and Date of publication based on that of probable earlier state. See British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and England
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Keppel, Augustus Keppel, Viscount, 1725-1786, Robinson, Mary, 1758-1800, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Cavendish, John, Lord, 1732-1796
The figure of Time, with his scythe, hovers in the air between the kneeling figures of Pitt on the left and Fox on the right. Through two pipes inscribed, "Court favor" and "popularity," he blows bubbles that Pitt catches in his mouth. Fox, his hands raised in supplication, begs Time for the same favor. His plea is supported by the Duchess of Devonshire who stands behind him. In the background, a radiating temple on a rock behind Pitt is inscribed, "St. Jameses." Behind Fox, a lighthouse with a flare hanging from its top is signed, "House of Commons." Between the two, on the other side of a river, is a ruined ancient city, a reference to Rome
Description:
Title from item. and Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
Pub'd by [...]
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, England, and Westminster
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806., and Pitt, William, 1759-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Political elections, Scythes, Temples, Ruins, Lighthouses, Tobacco pipes, Scissors & shears, and Clothing & dress
On a raised platform, the Devil sits on top of 3 casks, one labelled "small beer". He straddles a huge key, from which are suspended, as on a gallows, 2 gentlemen, the one on the right bearing some resemblance to George III. On the left 2 maids or washerwomen wave mop and broom at the hanged man (possibly Pitt?), saying "You tax maid servants no more". On the right Samuel House, standing before his tavern, offers a tankard to Jeffrey Dunstan, who is voicing his support of Charles James Fox. The Devil is uttering the words of the title
Alternative Title:
Key of the back stairs and the small beer etc
Description:
Title derived from text in image. and Mounted to 27 x 40 cm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Dunstan, Jeffery, 1759?-1797. and House, Samuel, -1785.
Subject (Topic):
Devil, Keys (Hardware), Taverns (Inns), Women domestics, Hangings, and Clothing & dress