"The figures are numbered, referring to a short printed explanation beneath the plate. A man (1), England, dressed only in a shirt, with an expression of horrified rage, is being held by two men, (4) and (5), representing Denmark and Sweden. France (7) stands behind him about to place a fool's cap on his head. Russia (right) (3), a stalwart man wearing a fur cap and long gown, is about to strike him with a large club. A plainly dressed man (2), America, runs off to the left with his clothes, looking back with a smile. Holland, as a Dutchman (6), kneels on the ground fixing shackles to the ankles of the Man in the Shirt. The scene is the sea-shore. Small vessels (left) (8) have boards on the top of their bare masts; behind them are ships in full sail (9). A man (10) clenches his fist at the sight of the vessels. In the foreground lie torn documents (11). The explanation, translated: (1), "A man in a shirt in a great rage; (2), an American, who carries away his money and clothes laughing; (3), a Russian threatening to strike him; (4) and (5) hold each an arm; (6), a Dutchman who puts chains on him; (8), some dismantled privateers; (9), a fleet of merchant ships sailing undisturbed; (10), a man who sees this, stamping his feet; (11), some torn-up treaties." 1780 Etching with letterpress explanation"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed., and One figure in print identified (in ms.?) as B. Franklin.
Two men in a large room, one seated, the other standing are seen gesturing towards a framed picture representing a naval battle, and showing the diplomatic papers thrown into the water by Henry Laurens. When retrieved by the British, these papers had revealed unauthorized Dutch negotiations with the American Congress, resulting in a British declaration of war on Holland on 20 December 1780
Alternative Title:
True interpretation of an English print
Description:
Titles and date of publication from British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, Netherlands., Netherlands, Great Britain., United States., and England
"A curiously carved chest, or seat, representing "The English Bank of Exchange" (Wisselbank) is suspended like a pair of scales by chains from the horn of a unicorn whose head emerges from clouds. It tilts down on the right, where a stout Englishman, "an English lord", sits precariously, exclaiming in alarm as a Frenchman (right), standing on the ground beneath, pulls him by the leg. The Frenchman's right hand is on the hilt of his sword. The balance is further depressed by America, a naked child crowned with feathers, who is seated on the "Bank" beside the Englishman and holding his arm, admonishing him with an upraised finger. A Spaniard holding a crutch crouches on the ground beside the Frenchman. A "Dutch skipper" (left) holds one leg of the "Bank" to prevent its being dragged down by France. He turns to speak to a "merchant of Amsterdam" seated on a chest and writing in a ledger. Round the chest are "sacks of gold", bales of goods, cheeses (one stamped with crossed keys), and rolls of textiles. In the background (centre) is a Dutch landscape; a group of six windmills flying a flag with three stripes, and four cows, two of which are being milked. Beneath the design, verses are engraved in two columns, English (left) and Dutch (right)."--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Europe in her present disordered state
Description:
Titles from British Museum catalogue., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Verses beneath image in English and Dutch: "Bold Jack! pray, what's the business to-day? ..." and "Hoezee! tienduizendmaal! van dikhuot zaagt men deelen...", and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
"A curiously carved chest, or seat, representing "The English Bank of Exchange" (Wisselbank) is suspended like a pair of scales by chains from the horn of a unicorn whose head emerges from clouds. It tilts down on the right, where a stout Englishman, "an English lord", sits precariously, exclaiming in alarm as a Frenchman (right), standing on the ground beneath, pulls him by the leg. The Frenchman's right hand is on the hilt of his sword. The balance is further depressed by America, a naked child crowned with feathers, who is seated on the "Bank" beside the Englishman and holding his arm, admonishing him with an upraised finger. A Spaniard holding a crutch crouches on the ground beside the Frenchman. A "Dutch skipper" (left) holds one leg of the "Bank" to prevent its being dragged down by France. He turns to speak to a "merchant of Amsterdam" seated on a chest and writing in a ledger. Round the chest are "sacks of gold", bales of goods, cheeses (one stamped with crossed keys), and rolls of textiles. In the background (centre) is a Dutch landscape; a group of six windmills flying a flag with three stripes, and four cows, two of which are being milked. Beneath the design, verses are engraved in two columns, English (left) and Dutch (right)."--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Europe in her present disordered state
Description:
Titles from British Museum catalogue., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Trimmed within plate line; damage with loss of design in lower right corner., and Verses beneath image in English and Dutch: "Bold Jack! pray, what's the business to-day? ..." and "Hoezee! tienduizendmaal! van dikhuot zaagt men deelen ..."