“[Left image]: A stout English soldier pursues with clenched fists two French soldiers, who are emaciated ‘petits-maîtres’. They wear long pigtail queues, ruffled shirts, and large top-boots. The Englishman says, “Lower your Topsails Monsieurs”; the Frenchmen say “We are bold Frenchmen”. The Englishman is trampling on a French flag which lies on the ground. A British flag is partly visible on the left behind the Englishman. In the distance (right) a party of French soldiers is seen in flight, over them is inscribed, “Run Frogs”. [Right image]: A French soldier (left), with clenched fists, kicks the back of a fat English soldier. He says “Begar zee will make you nozv lower your Topsails”. The fleeing Englishman looks round to say “I’m an English man of War”. In the distance (right) English soldiers with a flag, the words “Run Beef Heads” inscribed over their heads, are in flight. The British flag, inscribed “Discolour’d”, lies on the ground. A French flag, inscribed “Lewis le Grand”, extends over the head of the victorious Frenchman.”–British Museum online catalogue
- Title: Time past. When we beat them ten to one Time present. The case is alter’d.
- Published: London, 20 January 1782
782.01.20.01+
Acquired November 2024
A scene in a sitting room, a man in a fit of anger kicks over a chair and table set with tea; a pitcher, cups and saucers, tongs and other tableware are in flight or shattered on the floor. The man holds his wig in his left hand as a woman looks on with fear. Two cats fight in front of a fireplace above which hangs a seascape with rough waters and lightening. On the back wall another painting shows a man standing over a woman.
