The political and humourous works of Thomas Rowlandson, 1774-1825
Container / Volume:
Vol. 1 (Box 2 of 2) | Folder I-42
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
Prints & Photographs
Abstract:
"The interior of a witches' cave, three witches round a blazing cauldron; through the mouth of the cave, and in the upper right corner, appears Westminster Bridge, leading to the houses and towers of Lambeth, showing that the cave is in Westminster, evidently the House of Commons. From the flames ascending from the cauldron emerge the heads of Fox, North, and Burke. Other emblems also ascend: a rosary and cross (indicating the popery ascribed to Burke, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6026), a small pig, labels inscribed 'Deceit', 'Pride', 'Corrupt par ...' [liament] (in reverse), 'Loane Lottery'. The witches, whose three broomsticks (left) lean against the side of the cave, are bringing more ingredients to the pot which disseminates the plagues of England: a hag (right) stands about to drop a paper inscribed 'Rebellion' into the cauldron; she says, "Well sister, what hast thou got, for the ingredients of our Charmd Pot". Another witch (left), crouching over a bag from which emerge two men, one of whom is a serpent from the waist downwards, answers, "A Beast from Scotland, tis call'dan Er--skin, famous for Duplicity low Art & Cunning - the other a Monster who'd spurn even at Charters Rights'. Erskine, who is leaping from the sack, says, "I am like a Proteus can turn to any Shape from a Sailor to a Lawyer, and always lean to the Strongest Side". Erskine, first entering Parliament in 1783, see British Museum Satires No. 6369 (8), was one of Fox's martyrs. The serpent-man says: 'Over the Water and over the Lee, Thro Hell I woud follow my Charlee'."--British Museum online catalogue, description of a later state.
Alternative Title:
Birth of the plagues of England
Description:
Apparent signature "FN: 1784" in lower right corner perhaps stands for the coalition of Fox and North. See British Museum catalogue., Cf. Grego, J. Rowlandson the caricaturist, v. 1, pages 111-2., CtY-BR, For a later state with imprint burnished from plate and the title re-etched in a single line, see no. 6364 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., Printmaker from description of later state in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
W. Humphry, no. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain--Politics and government--1760-1789.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Burke, Edmund,--1729-1797--Caricatures and cartoons., Erskine, Thomas Erskine,--Baron,--1750-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810, publisher., Lee, John,--1733-1793--Caricatures and cartoons., North, Frederick,--Lord,--1732-1792--Caricatures and cartoons., and Riviere & Son Binding.
"A burlesque of Fuseli's well-known picture illustrating 'Macbeth', i. 3. The three witches are Dundas, Pitt, and Thurlow, in profile to the right instead of to the left. Fuseli's drapery is replaced by clouds, and the three gaze with reflective and apprehensive intensity at the moon (right): the Queen's smiling profile in a brightly lit crescent faces them, enclosing the old moon, the darkened head of the King (eclipsed), with closed eyes in profile to the right. Each witch presses the fingers of his left hand (drawn with much expressiveness) to his lips (- 'each at once her choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips'); the outstretched left arm of Fuseli's picture is absent: they appear to be seeking knowledge of the future from the moon, not foretelling it."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Weird sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon and Wierd sisters, ministers of darkness, minions of the moon
Description:
Dedication etched above image: To H. Fuzelli Esqr. this attempt in the caricatura-sublime, is respectfully dedicated., One line quotation below title: "They should be women! and yet their beards forbid us to interpret, that they are so.", Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain--Politics and government--1789-1820--Humor.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Charlotte,--Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain,--1744-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Dundas, Henry,--1742-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Fuseli, Henry, 1741-1825, associated name. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79021856, Fuseli, Henry,--1741-1825--Parodies, imitations, etc., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n97861435, Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Shakespeare, William,--1564-1616.--Macbeth--Adaptations, parodies, etc., Thurlow, Edward Thurlow,--Baron,--1731-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Walpole, Horace,--1717-1797--Ms. annotations., and Walpole, Horace,--1717-1797--Ownership.
Subject (Topic):
Eclipses., Moon., Politicians--Great Britain., Regency--Great Britain.--http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010110433, Sun., and Witches.
"A yokel puts his head through a trap-door (left), holding up a lantern and pitchfork. He gapes in horror at the sight before him. Two witches (right) sit over a fire burning in a bowl; one holding a broom gazes grimly towards the creatures they have called up: two bodies, one old, the other young, both winged, one having wings of flame, terminate together in the crouching hind-legs of a beast of prey; with these are the head and neck of a monstrous bird. Two grotesque goblins emerge from clouds (left), and a serpent hisses at the women."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Later state issued around 1813. Cf. No. 12150, Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 9 for description with different plate number., Plate numbered '18' in upper right corner., and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Tegg, Thomas, 1776-1845, publisher., and Woodward, G. M. (George Moutard), approximately 1760-1809, artist.
