"A design in two compartments. On the left the triumph of Necker in a land of 'Freedom', in the other that of Pitt in a land of 'Slavery'. Necker (full face), seated in an armchair is carried on the shoulders of distinguished personages, who wave their hats. He holds in his right hand the staff and cap of 'Liberty', in his left a royal crown. He is stout and benevolent. Above his head floats a laurel wreath, irradiated, inscribed 'Necker', and adding a touch of absurdity. Under his feet are a chain and an instrument of torture resembling a harrow. The naval officer (left) wearing a star, -who holds one pole of the chair, is labelled 'Orleans'; his companion, in regimentals, is probably Lafayette; both wave their hats. In the background is a cheering crowd and the massive but broken stone wall of the 'Bastile'. On the right Pitt, lean and arrogant, stands in profile to the left on a royal crown which bends under his weight (as in BMSat 7478). In his right hand is a banner on which are instruments of torture: a narrow, shackles, and scourges; in his left hand, which rests on his hip, are a headsman's axe and chains, the other ends of which are attached to persons who kneel humbly behind him, the most prominent of whom is the King. Other chains are attached to artisans, &c, who kneel abjectly before him. In the background are (left) a gallows from which hang seven nooses, and (right) a high scaffold on which stands a headsman with an axe. From Pitt's pocket projects a large tobacco-pipe inscribed 'Excise'.."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
France, Britain, freedom, slavery and Freedom, slavery
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title from text in and below image.
Publisher:
J. Aitken, Castle Street, Leicester Square
Subject (Name):
Aitken, James, -1802, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier,--marquis de,--1757-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., Louis--XVI,--King of France,--1754-1793--Caricatures and cartoons., Necker, Jacques,--1732-1804--Caricatures and cartoons., Orléans, Louis Philippe Joseph,--duc d',--1747-1793--Caricatures and cartoons., and Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
A cartoon illustrating the first reactions in England to the news of the fall of the Bastille. On the right, the radiant figure of Liberty sits enthroned on the ruins of the Bastille. Kneeling on one knee before her, Louis XVI holds up to her his crown; inscribed below him are the words "A repentant monarch." Following behind him are six figures in chains, each clearly identified: Orléans and Necker, Marie Antoinette, two German counselors, and a figure suggestive of Mrs. Schwellenberg. La Fayette and the ranks of the National Guard bring up the rear. All around them are cheering crowds.
Description:
"Price 2 sh. plain.", Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
J. Aitken, Castle Street, Leicester Square
Subject (Geographic):
France--History--Revolution, 1789-1799--Foreign public opinion, British.
Subject (Name):
Aitken, James, -1802, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Bastille., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier,--marquis de,--1757-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., Louis--XVI,--King of France,--1754-1793--Caricatures and cartoons., Marie Antoinette,--Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,--1755-1793--Caricatures and cartoons., Necker, Jacques,--1732-1804--Caricatures and cartoons., and Schwellenberg, Elizabeth Juliana,--ca 1728-1797--Caricatures and cartoons.
