The kettle hooting the porridge-pot

Image not available
James Gillray
1756-1815
The kettle hooting the porridge-pot
[London] : Pubd July 23d 1782 by P.J. Leatherhead, [1782]
etching, hand colored
image 219 x 330 mm, plate mark 248 x 351 mm, on sheet 291 x 444 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.372
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Inscription: 

Library's copy annotated on with notes identifying the subjects of Gillray's caricature.

Summary: 

Print shows Shelburne as a kettle and Fox as a porridge-pot. Shelburne's body is in the form of a kettle, much blackened underneath; the handle, attached to his chest and shoulders, extends over his head. He points at Fox; his left foot is on the neck of a goose, which lies on its back on the ground. He is saying, "Oh do but look how black his Arse is!" Fox, with the head of a fox, his body a large circular pot, blackened underneath, is running away with an alarmed expression. In the centre of the design is a sign-post, its arm, pointing to the right, is terminated by a well-drawn hand holding a die in its fingers, but pointing with its fore-finger in the direction in which Fox is running. The arm of the post is inscribed "TO BROOKS'S"; from it hangs a rope with a noose at the end of it. On the post is hung up a placard inscribed "To be Lett- either as a Gibbet or Direction Post."

Artist page: 
Classification: 
Department: