The giant-factotum amusing himself

The giant-factotum amusing himself

Item Information

Title:
The giant-factotum amusing himself
Title (alt.):
The giant factotum amusing himself
Description:
Pitt arrogantly bestrides the Speaker's chair, towering high above the galleries of the House. He plays cup (or rather spike) and ball with the globe, on which 'France' is disproportionately large, the British Isles small and obscure. His head is turned to the left towards his own followers, who crowd obsequiously towards his huge right foot which rests on the head of Wilberforce and on the shoulder of the bulky and truculent Dundas, who wears Highland dress. Canning kneels to kiss the toe of his shoe. His left foot crushes the leaders of the Opposition: Erskine, Sheridan, Fox (all prostrate), and a fourth (? Grey) with upstretched arms. M. A. Taylor, a tiny figure, with the legs of a chicken and wearing a bonnet-rouge, sprawls on the floor near Fox. The rest of the party raise their arms in dismay. The Speaker (Addington) looks up (raising his hat), as do the Clerks. Pitt's coat-pockets bulge like sacks. In one (left) are papers. The other is stuffed with guineas. His left hand holds a paper (BM).
Artist:
Gillray, James, 1756-1815
Name on Item:
Js. Gilly. Inv. et fec.
Date:
January 21, 1797
Format:
Prints
Genre:
Etchings
Caricatures
Satires (Visual works)
Location:
Boston Public Library
Arts Department
Collection (local):
James Gillray (1756-1815). Prints and Drawings
Subjects:
Women domestics
Politicians
Authors
Globes
Audiences
Government officials
Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833
Canning, Elizabeth, 1734-1773
Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844
Extent:
1 print : hand-colored etching ; plate mark 36 x 26 cm
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z111h995
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Publisher:
New Bond Street : Pubd. by H. Humphrey
Language:
English
Notes:
Title from item.
Alternative title from Wright/Evans.
BM Satires 8980; Wright/Evans 160
Additional information accompanying item: From original plates, printed and coloured post 1830, probably circa 1880.
Notes (acquisition):
Gift; Louis Black; December 1953
Notes (date):
Date from item.
Notes (citation):
Stephens, Frederic George, George, Mary Dorothy. "Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum." British Museum Press, 1870, London.
Wright, Thomas, R. H. Evans. "Historical and descriptive account of the caricatures of James Gillray." Benjamin Blom, 1968, New York.
Identifier:
18_17_000149
Barcode:
36666003900087