[William Pitt attacked by barbers] [graphic]

Description

Title: [William Pitt attacked by barbers] [graphic]
Contributor: O'Keeffe, W., active 1794-1805, artist.
Published / Created: [approximately 1795?]
Publication Place: London
Publisher: publisher not identified
Abstract: Five barbers wearing aprons, coming from both right and left, attack a pleading William Pitt at the center of the design. One barber grasps Pitt by the nose with tweezers or tongs, while another throws water on his face from a basin. A third barber, standing directly behind Pitt, grabs his queue and has scissors positioned around his neck. A fourth grasps Pitt's ankle and prepares to strike him with a club, while the fifth barber looks on from the right edge of the frame with a pleased look on his face. In the upper left corner the head and hand of George III is seen; a speech bubble contains his words: "What, what, what, what are you all about".
Description: Title devised by cataloger.
Signed in lower left corner with artist W. O'Keeffe's monogram.
Date inferred from that of another print, now attributed to W. O'Keeffe, in which barbers are seen roasting William Pitt over a fire in retalitation for the Duty on Hair Powder Act of 1795. See no. 8650 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 7. See also: British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1868,0808.6432.
Description based on an imperfect impression, sheet trimmed within plate mark with probable loss of tile and imprint statement.
Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Watermark: J. Whatman.
Provenance: Brian Maidment; July 2024.
Extent: 1 print : sheet 19.4 x 32.6 cm
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.
Language: English