"A fantastic theatre scene, showing stage, orchestra, and two boxes on each side of the stage. On the stage the fall of Amsterdam is represented by a number of frogs (burghers) who hasten obsequiously to submit to the Stadholder. William V, much caricatured as a short fat man wearing military dress with plumed helmet, gorget, and jack-boots, stands with an uplifted sabre, dripping blood, about to cut the throat of a frog, who kneels, holding out a purse in each hand. His sabre is inscribed 'W. de V'; he straddles across the decapitated heads and limbs of his frog-subjects; under his left foot is a standard decorated with three storks. A mutilated frog jumps from the stage into the orchestra from which rise the flames of Hell. Other frogs disappear into the flames, where demons act as musicians; one plays a gridiron with a pitchfork, two others sing. Dominating these musicians is the half length figure of a lean military officer playing the flute, in gauntlet gloves, his eyes fixed on the stage. The frogs who hasten towards the Stadholder have expressions of terror and are dressed as Dutchmen. One proffers a large key inscribed 'Stadt House', another a pail of 'Milk', another a beehive, another a cask of 'Butter', another a keg of 'Holland Gin'. Behind William V the Princess of Orange (left) stands with her hands on her hips, smiling coquettishly over her shoulder at her husband, the word 'Kiss' issuing from her mouth. Suppliant frogs fawn upon her. The background of this scene is a city wall (right) (Amsterdam) and clouds (left), across which straddles a grotesque figure of Fame blowing two trumpets. Above the proscenium the words 'Sic transit Gloria Mundi' replace the customary 'Veluti in Speculum'. ... "--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Last scene of the republican pantomine
Description:
Later state of a plate originally issued with the title: The surrender of Amsterdam, or, The Duke of Brunswick in a bustle. Other changes include the addition of crosshatching, the replacement of the Duke of Brunswick's head with that of William of Orange, and the addition of an inscription on the sabre., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Abdülhamid--I,--Sultan of the Turks,--1725-1789--Caricatures and cartoons., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Catherine--II,--Empress of Russia,--1729-1796--Caricatures and cartoons., Fores, S. W., publisher., Frederick--II,--King of Prussia,--1712-1786--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Joseph--II,--Holy Roman Emperor,--1741-1790--Caricatures and cartoons., Louis--XVI,--King of France,--1754-1793--Caricatures and cartoons., and William--V,--Prince of Orange,--1748-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
Subject (Topic):
Daggers & swords., Frogs., and Musical instruments.
