MusEYEum Online Catalogue

The Politician
PRINTS AND DRAWINGS
print
Grimm, Samuel Hieronymous; Sledge, Sarah
Europe: United Kingdom, England
1771-05-02
paper
overall: 364 x 263 mm

Monochrome print (etching with engraving) depicting a politician, Lord North, wearing round-eye spectacles, with a gaping toothless mouth, sitting draped in a sheet, while a French hairdresser (his nationality indicated by his bag-wig and ruffles) applies tongs to his hair, and appears to be whispering in his ear. At this, or on account of the Speaker's Warrant dated 27 Mar. 1771, to the Lieutenant of the Tower to receive the Lord Mayor into custody, which he holds in his hand, the Politician starts in alarm. In the centre over the fireplace is an oval picture of Don Quixote tilting at a windmill. On the left hangs a map of the Iberian Peninsula, on the right one of the British Isles. Hanging from a stool to the floor is 'An Accurate Map of Falkland Is' over which a dog and cat are fighting. On the floor are also a 'Letter to the Premier', a 'Last dying Speech, A new Song on Liberty' (torn), a bundle of 'Junius's Letters' and another of 'Votes'. Open on a secretaire-bookcase is a 'History of the Constitution with my own Remarks', apparently in course of composition. A bust of 'Oliver Cromwell' is on the top of the book-case.

1999.527

BOA acquisition, c.1929