In a room reminiscent of a magician's study, the King, dressed in a cloak as Friar Bacon (a necromancer of popular fable), evokes visions of the royal power while the brazen head speaks. Each vision is represented by a large medallion inscribed, "Constitution," and shows a different balance of power between the king and both houses of Parliament. On the left, Fox, Burke, and North, peek in through an open door, appearing alarmed. On the right, a number of men walk down the "back stairs." The first of them, carrying a conspirator's lantern and led by the devil, is Lord Temple
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted to 28 x 41 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 3d, 1784, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Bacon, Roger, 1214?-1294., and Pitt, William, 1759-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Wizards, Magic, and Devil
Volume 1, page 13. Original drawings of heads, antiquities, monuments, views, &c. by George Vertue
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Alternative Title:
Friar Bacon
Description:
Title written in block letters at top of image., Date supplied by cataloger., Laid down on an ink line mount., and Mounted on page 13 in a volume of ca. 50 drawings that was assembled from works purchased by Horace Walpole at the Vertue sale of 1757. Now bound in red morocco, this volume has Walpole's manuscript title-page: Original drawings of heads, antiquities, monuments, views, &c. by George Vertue and others.
