A scene in a kitchen showing a French male cook on his knees beside a cross-looking female cook holding a spatula. In the background, a roaring fire in the hearth with a slab of beef on a spit.
794.03.01.04
Acquired September 2023
“William IV rides (left to right) on a country road, with a large document under his arm: ‘Plan Bridge over Canal for Public’; Wellington sits insecurely behind the saddle. Both are in civilian dress. The King: ‘Now I’ve got him up behind I’ll just do as I like’. Wellington (slyly): ‘This is a very bad Seat, not such a one as I have been used to lately. I am afraid I shall be off.–Open the Park indeed for the Public: I don’t like giving way to the Public!!!’ A signpost (left) points (right) ‘To Holland House’.”–British Museum online catalogue.
830.07.00.03+
Acquired September 2023
“The Regent, scarcely caricatured, rides (right to left) a white horse with the (bloated) head of Sheridan, the flank being branded ‘P R’. The horse walks along a cobbled street which is strewn with large stones on each of which is the head of a member of the Opposition. Sheridan says: “Never fear, my dear Master, I will carry you through this ugly road in safety–I’ll hick all the vile stones aside that would impede your way, and your old Hack, Sherry, you will find able to support you to the last.” On the stone under his hoof is the head of Grenville. Two others have already been kicked aside: (?) Holland, and, in the foreground, the Duke of Norfolk. Others (left to right) are: Buckingham (in spectacles) and Whitbread, Grey, Lord Temple, Moira, and Erskine. Others are not characterized. The street leads into ‘Manchester Square’, showing that the Prince is on his way to Hertford House.”–British Museum online catalogue.
812.03.00.02+ Impression 1
Acquired September 2023
“Burdett in armour stands with legs astride, sword raised, left fist clenched, making an onslaught on a book which is on the ground, its pages slashed and tattered. On these are fragments of inscriptions: ‘Red Book for the . . .’; ‘Treasury’; ‘Pensions’ [twice]; ‘Pensions 4000, 3000, 2.400’; ‘Teller o the Ex[chequer] . . . 6000 4.000’; ‘Sinecu[res]’. He declaims: “I will not stop, – till I have cut out the accursed leaves of the Red Book!!!” His sword-blade is ‘Took’s Improved Steel’. On the right Tooke peers at him, holding aside a curtain; he says: “Come Come my pupil goes on better than I expected – very indeed for a beginning yes – yes – he’ll do after a little practice” [see British Museum Satires No. 10731, &c.]. He holds a book: ‘Diversions of Purley’ [see (e.g.) British Museum Satires No. 9020]. On the left John Bull, dressed as Sancho Panza with a short tunic and ruff, gapes at his master, his hands on his knees. He says: “What the deuce is he at now! he will certainly get himself into some scrape or other.” Mambrino’s helmet (the barber’s basin) lies at Burdett’s feet; it has a tricolour cockade and three feathers.”–British Museum online catalogue.
807.06.00.05+
Acquired February 2024
Members of the Royal Family at an informal dance, the centre couple being Princess Elizabeth, grotesquely stout, and the Prince of Hesse-Homburg, who grasps her dress, unable to reach her waist.
818.05.04.01
Acquired September 2023
“Orléans (Égalité), looking to the right, stands on the scaffold dressed as a grenadier of the National Guard. He holds out by the hair the decollated head of Louis XVI, while he waves his cap in his right hand. Behind (left) is the guillotine, with the King’s body; streams of blood pour from head and trunk. Below the scaffold (right) are heads and bayonets of the National Guard, and, behind, two large buildings, the windows and roofs filled with spectators; those on the roof wave their hats.”–British Museum online catalogue.
793.02.12.02
Acquired September 2023
“Twelve figures arranged in two rows, each representing Dundas (not caricatured) in one of his capacities, title and words etched above each. [1] ‘A Governor of the Charter House’. He walks (left to right), looking down at a document in his left hand and saying: “How I venerate Charters”. [2] ‘Joint Keeper of the Signet in Scotland’. He holds out his left hand looking admiringly at a signet ring: “a vera pretty Seal ring worth £2000 a Year”. [3] ‘Chancellor of the University of St Andrew’. He sits directed to the left in a high-backed arm-chair wearing academic cap and long gown: “There is great weight and Dignity in a gown and Square Cap.” [4] ‘Patent Printer of the Bible in Scotland’. He sits in dressing-gown, cap, and slippers at a printing-press of the Caxton type, saying: “This printing and composing is vera tedious, but as it brings in about £6000 per Annum I must noe loose sight of it.” [5] ‘Custos Rotulorum for Middlesex’. He sits pompously in a high-backed chair wearing an old-fashioned cocked hat and laced coat, saying: “A little Consequence is very necessary in a custos Rotulorum”. [6] ‘A Treasurer of the Navy’. He sits at a table on which are money-bags and piles of coin, which he is counting: “Ah! this is pretty neat employment I love to count over the Siller.” [7] ‘A Governor of Greenwich Hospital’. He stands, wearing cocked hat and uniform, in profile to the right, right hand on his hip, left hand on the hilt of a sword: “a naval uniform is vera becoming.” [8] ‘A Commissioner of Chelsea Hospital’. He stands with arms folded, wearing cocked hat with military uniform: “As is also that of the Miliatory in due season.” [9] ‘A Commissioner for India Affairs’. He stands with his back to a group of barrels and chests, turning to the right: “What are ye aboot ye lazy loons, why are not these goods shipp’d off for India d’ye mean to do nothing at aw’ for your money.” [10] ‘Governor of the Bank of Scotland’. He stands in profile to the left, ‘chapeau-bras’, one hand thrust under his waistcoat and wearing an old-fashioned wig: “This is what I call snug – vera little trouble.” [11] ‘A Secretary’. He writes busily in profile to the right at a davenport desk: “By my Sawl I care not how many Trades they make me sae that the Siller comes alang with them catch aw things is the rule in Scotland.” [12] ‘An Elder Brother of the Trinity House’. He stands in profile to the left, wearing a gown, bowing, cap in hand: “This concludes for the present my small portion of the Candle ends, and cheese parings” [cf. British Museum Satires No. 9038].”–British Museum online catalogue.
798.02.05.01++
Acquired September 2023
818.11.14.01+
Acquired February 2024
Four caricatures of men eating soup each type identified below the image: a rich man with rhinophyma eats “Turtle Soup”; a tall, thin soldier with a queue hairstyle eats “Soup Maigre”; a dustman eats “Pea Soup”; and a thin man in an upholstered armchair and wearing a cap and slippers eats “Mutton Broth.”
826.00.00.93
Acquired September 2023
“A Dutch broadside satirising the arrival of William III in England and the overthrow of James II and his Roman Catholic policies; with an engraving showing in the foreground on the right William (7) in armour mounted on the Dutch lion (1), attacking the many-headed Babylonian dragon (2) with his lance. Above William flies the angel of Providence (3). To left, priests and Catholic officials (4) flee, some riding on goats, wolves and asses. The dragon carries the infant Prince of Wales holding a windmill (5) held by Father Petre (6). The lion rides over fallen monks and Jesuits (8) and two decapitated heads of the dragon. In the centre background William is received by English notables (9). To left, James (10) departs in a small boat from a shore with a ruined church; to right; he is received by Louis XIV (11), together with Mary of Modena and the infant Prince of Wales. With engraved title, false publication line “Gisling Geneve exc.”, and numbering 1-10, and with letterpress verses, including legend, in two columns.”–British Museum online catalogue.
688.00.00.01+
Acquired February 2024