"Wilberforce, as a weathercock, stands with his right foot poised on a pinnacle at the point of intersection of the four points of the compass. He leans forward in profile to the right, both arms stretched out towards a bird which grasps a scroll resting on clouds: 'Peace and Fraternity with France'. The bird is half-dove, and holds an olive branch in its mouth, but the left leg is that of a bird of prey, and in its talons a dagger is clasped, while the left wing is fantastically webbed. Two papers issue from Wilberforce's coat-pocket: 'Charge agt Kimber' and 'Abolition of the Slave Trade'. From his back rises a vertical spike supporting the hat of a Roundhead, its brim inscribed 'Fanaticism, Puritanism'. On its crown sits a raven, shrieking at Wilberforce the word 'Kimber'. Below (right) is the dome of a minaret terminating in the head of Fox, directing a blast of 'Republicanism' against Wilberforce which has blown him into his present position."--British Museum online catalogue, description of a variant state
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Second of a set of seven prints "Outlines of the Opposition in 1795 ..."; see British Museum catalogue., For a variant state with plate number "2" etched in upper left corner, see no. 8637 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 7., and Temporary local subject terms: Opposition -- House of Commons: Motion for peace with France, 27 May 1795 -- Bills: Abolition of slave trade -- Allusion to Puritans -- Daggers -- Symbols: Dove as a symbol of peace -- Kimber, John, fl. 1795.
Publisher:
Publd. 14th April 1795 by H. Humphry [sic], New Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833 and Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
Subject (Topic):
Weather vanes, Doves, Crows, Domes, and Politics and government
