Bonus melior optimus, or, The Devil's the best of the bunch [graphic]

Description

Title: Bonus melior optimus, or, The Devil's the best of the bunch [graphic]
Alternative Title: Devil's the best of the bunch
Devil is the best of the bunch
Creator: Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker
Contributor: Pether, Thomas, active 1772-1781, artist.
Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810, publisher.
Published / Created: [22 April 1783]
Publication Place: London
Publisher: Pubd. April 22d, 1783, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Abstract: Lord North, sitting on a large roll inscribed "Budget" offers Charles Fox a spoonful of broth from a bowl in his lap. He warns Fox to "... Be cautious! - a little of my Broth goes a great way ..." Fox, with a fox's head, sits on "Pandora's Box," his right arm round North's shoulder, saying, " ... give me a sup of your soup ..." To the right, a devil squatting on a low stool in front of a fireplace blows bellows at the fire under a large cauldron with more broth in it. A large coalition medal (cf. BMSat 6183) with the likenesses of North and Fox hangs above the mantel
Description: Title from item.
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.
1 print : etching, hand-colored ; sheet 24 x 33 cm.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Provenance: Old Print Shop ; 1961.
Extent: 1 print : plate mark 25 x 35 cm, on sheet 30 x 49 cm
Language: English

Genre: Caricatures and cartoons
Satires (Visual works) England 1783
Etchings England London 1783
Material: etching, hand-colored ;
Resource Type: still image
Subject (Geographic): Great Britain
Subject (Name): Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792
Subject (Topic): Politics and government
Devil
Pandora's box
Fireplaces
Bellows
Cauldrons
Subjects: Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806 > Caricatures and cartoons
North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792 > Caricatures and cartoons
Great Britain > Politics and government > 1760-1789
Devil
Pandora's box
Fireplaces
Bellows
Cauldrons
England > 1783
England > London > 1783
Riviere & Son > Binding
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley > Ownership
Harvey, Francis > Ownership

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.