"The interior of a latrine; a procession, headed by Talleyrand holding up a crozier, advances towards the seat; through the circular aperture looks out the head of a demon, saying, "Ca Ira! Ca Ira!" Talleyrand, as Bishop of Autun, wears mitre, lawn sleeves, long robes; he puts one knee on the seat, showing that his leg above the knee is bare, revealing him a sans-culotte; to his crozier are suspended his blazing breeches. He is followed by a French fish-wife, walking in profile to the right, and carrying a flaming torch inscribed 'Inflammatory Epis[tle]'; in her right hand is a document inscribed 'Instructions from the National Assembly to their Diplomatique'. Two fish hang from her waist. Behind and on the extreme left walk three small and ruffianly Frenchmen with tricolour caps carrying a lighted brazier, a red-hot poker, &c. On the wall (right), partly obscured by the smoke from the breeches and in danger of destruction, is a picture of 'The House of Commons'. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Bishop of Autun's breeches and Flaming eveque purifying the house of office
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Dedication etched below title: To the patriots of France & England, this representation of the burning zeal of the holy "Attachè a la Mission," and his colleague "L'Envoié des Poissardes," is most respectfully dedicated., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: House of Commons: incident of burning breeches found in a closet of the House, May 9, 1792 -- Pictures amplifying subject: House of Commons -- Interiors: latrine -- French peasants -- Clergy: bishops -- Trades: fish wives -- Furnishings: brazier -- Pokers -- Lighting: torches -- Croziers -- Chauvelin as a fish wife -- Talleyrand as bishop -- Expressions of speech: c̦a ira -- Prejudice against France -- Sans-cullotes., and Mounted to 28 x 37 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. May 14th, 1792, by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Chauvelin, Bernard-François, marquis de, 1766-1832 and Talleyrand-Périgord, Charles Maurice de, prince de Bénévent, 1754-1838
