An old woman in patched-up clothes with her harp huddles in a doorway. The satire contrasts the life of a street singer with the sweet lyrics of the popular ballad by Thomas Moore.
829.00.00.117+
Acquired April 2023
“Interior, the Prince of Wales standing to left wearing chain and badge of the garter, right hand poised to put the ring on the finger of Princess Caroline Amelia, who kneels with hands crossed over her breast to right, a minister blessing them to right, an open book on a cushion in front of him, George III and Queen Charlotte seated in the background to left.”–British Museum online catalogue.
795.05.16.01
Acquired November 2022
Satirical print showing Napoleon after the battle of Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812) during his Russian campaign (‘The Patriotic War’ in Russian parlance). He is vomiting fragments of plans and charts as well as a shattered anchor. In his hand he holds a large medicine bottle of emetic labelled in Russian: ‘Emetic. Pour Mr Napoleon. Heartfelt thank you, if only to take it more often. By order of the Russian army, from the pharmacy near Maly Yaroslavets’.
812.10.24.01
Acquired April 2023
A small audience sitting on benches on a tribune next to the equestrian statue of Cosimo I de’ Medici in Piazza della Signoria, watching a military parade of the guards of the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Lorena (1765-1790), son of the Empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg and brother of Joseph II. The soldiers, forming an L-shaped cordon and led by four battalion officers, are recognizable by their tricorns and the bayonets. At the center of the square, under the grand building of Palazzo Vecchio, stands a troop of drummers. Figures in the the foreground include a group of cavalrymen bearing a banner and followed by a cart on the right; a lady and gentleman waiting for a landau carriage at center; and a figure, maybe a soldier on look-out, watching the scene in Palazzo Uguccioni’s shadow on the left.
Drawings P294 no. 1 Box D205
Acquired September 2022
“John Bull, as a burly and ugly sailor, sits enthroned (right), listening to Melville’s plea of innocence. Melville, in Highland dress, and wearing a feathered bonnet, stands in profile to the right. with clasped hands and flexed knees; he says: “Indeed Mr Bull – I knaw nae more aboot it – than Johnny Groat o’the Highlands.” Trotter lurks behind him (left) furtively twitching his superior’s kilt, and jerking his thumb to the left.; he says: “Take my advice – and let us Trot off while we are well, he looks confounded inquisitive.” John scowls and glares pugnaciously, saying, “Why Look ye – de ye see – I dont come for to go for to say – exactly, that you sack’d the cole – all I say is the Shiners set sail – and as you had the care of the Hatches – it is, likely, you should know what Port they steer’d into! I say let’s look at your log book Old one.” He wears striped trousers and a knotted scarf; in his hat is a tobacco-pipe. His chair stands on a dais and is decorated with a crowned anchor and dolphins.”–British Museum online catalogue.
805.04.01.01+
Acquired April 2023
“A sailor on shore, holding a bottle, with a well-dressed young prostitute on each arm, the one on his [left] arm carries a cauliflower while the other holds up her dress; a boat moored against the quay in the [left] foreground, ships at sea and a fortification in the [left] background.”–British Museum online catalogue
794.00.00.74++
Acquired April 2023
“A young woman in rustic dress, shown three-quarters length to left, holding a basket of grapes, wearing a broad-brimmed hat with a ribbon, her hair loose.”–British Museum online catalogue.
786.04.01.14+
Acquired April 2023
Copy of Hogarth’s print; interior of a chapel with an impassioned preacher inspiring his listeners who include a woman swooning on the floor and a young couple embracing; many of the congregation are clutching figures of Christ; a barking dog with a collar labelled “Whitfield” echoes the preacher. In the lower rigth corner, an image of a cross-section of brain, labeled below frame “A Methodist’s brain”
795.11.12.02+
Acquired September 2022
“A family in a wealthy interior; an elderly man at centre, seated at a table, a glass in his left hand, holding out his right to receive coins from a younger man standing to left with his right hand on a book and a quill in his mouth; on the table, another glass, writing materials, coins and notes; to right, a woman …, supporting, and holding up a bunch of grapes for, a young child standing on a chair; looking on from behind the chair, a boy and, at right, a black servant holding a bowl of fruit, his left hand on the chair; in front of the table, a young girl lying on the carpet with a spaniel; a shipping wharf seen through an open window to left.”–British Museum online catalogue, description of another print engraved after the same painting
Drawer 800.03.25.07
Acquired April 2023
“Mrs. Clarke stands just within the House of Commons triumphing over her opponents and victims. She strikes a member (Croker) with a rapier, while holding up in her left hand a letter headed My dear Mrs Clark. She tramples on a military officer who lies prone; a paper under his hand is inscribed Genl [Clav]ering. Her antagonists have dropped their swords, which lie broken on the floor. Her large muff lies beside her with a bundle of Love Letters. Croker tries to escape, exclaiming, By Jasus she’ll give us 100 Cuts in 60 thrusts. Perceval rushes off, with a mutilated hand, saying, I am Struck dumb, and lost my thumb! I Percieve all. Another (the Attorney-General) exclaims: Oh! dear! Oh dear! she has cut off my Ear Ex officio. A little man whose nose has been cut off, exclaims: What dreadfull blows–Witness my Nose, my Honeys. In his pocket is a paper: Memorandum for Mr Hague [see British Museum Satires No. 11211]. A tall man (Yorke, see British Museum Satires No. 11535) shouts, raising his arms: Take her into custody–She will be to much for us–send her to York Jail. Shadowy figures watch the encounter. A corner of the gallery is seen, crowded with eager spectators. Two men watch from the lobby (right).”–British Museum online catalogue.
809.03.01.01+
Acquired April 2023