Britannia's support or the conspirators defeated

Details

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827)
Britannia's support or the conspirators defeated
inscribed 'BRITANNIA'S SUPPORT or the CONSPIRATORS defeated-' (lower centre in the margin)
pencil, grey and brown ink and grey wash
8¼ x 11¼ in. (21 x 28.5 cm.)

Provenance

with Zeitlin & Ver Brugge, Booksellers, Los Angeles.
with Spink-Leger, London.

Literature

J. Grego, Rowlandson the Caricaturist, London, 1889, vol. I, p. 247.

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Lot Essay

This drawing is for a print dated February 7th 1789, published by H. Holland, Oxford Street. Grego explains in 'Rowlandson the Caricaturist' 1880, London, vol. 1, p.247: the Prince, who is looking ill at ease, has been attacked by Pitt and his cronies, the Stuart Dukes. Pitt aims a blow at Divinity and her protégé with an axe. The Duke of Richmond is firing a musket; and the Duke of Grafton, a midnight assassin, holds a dagger and a dark lantern. Britannia has taken the Heir Apparent in her arms, and is shielding the menaced Prince.

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