“A companion print to British Museum Satires Nos. 6700, 6701, 6703. An enormous balloon not completely inflated rests on a platform suspended between two masts; it is exploding, flames and thick clouds of smoke pour from a crease in its contour, a number of men with faggots on their backs run from the balloon, others are on the platform, which is covered by a large cloth or net which hangs in folds. In the air (left), as if having sprung from the exploding part of the balloon, is a small balloon in the form of a head, identical with that in British Museum Satires No. 6704, with the same inscription and passenger. From it streams, in place of a rope, the tail of a kite. This evidently represents the bursting of Keegan’s balloon in the garden of Foley House. “–British Museum online catalogue.
- Printmaker: Sandby, Paul, 1731-1809, printmaker.
- Title: Coelum ipsum petimus stultitia [graphic].
- Publication: [London?] : [publisher not identified], [1784]
784.00.00.79+
Acquired April 2019