"The interior of a hall intended for the French National Assembly. On the extreme left a large tub raised from the ground serves as tribune, its right half only being visible; from this leans a grotesquely caricatured and foppish Frenchman, blowing a trumpet with a force which distends his cheeks. In his right hand are leading-strings supporting a lean youth who stands on the floor leaning forward, a firebrand in his left hand, an electrical rod in his right. From the trumpet of François (de Neufchâteau) issue the words 'Voici un beau Garçon le fils de Dr Pr***tly grand Democrat &c.' Young Priestley addresses the members who are seated on the extreme right under a gallery, travestied as men with the heads of animals (an ass, two frogs, an owl, a boar); he says, "Papa sends me to you for Improvement I will bear true Allegiance &c." They put their fingers to his electrical rod, which emits sparks. This rod is connected by a chain with a large jar inscribed 'Phlogiston from Hackney College'. Above the members the corner of a gallery appears from which three grinning fishwives look down. In the back wall is a large Gothic window."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Monsieur Francois introduces Master Priestley to the National Assembly
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., and Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to Hackney College -- Change of nationality -- Reference to William Priestley's application for French citizenship -- Animalization: Members of the French National Assembly as animals.
Publisher:
Publd. by Thos. Cornell
Subject (Name):
Priestley, William, -approximately 1835, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804., and François de Neufchâteau, Nicolas Louis, comte, 1750-1828
Subject (Topic):
France, Phlogiston, Electrical apparatus, Trumpets, Torches, and Windows
