BIB_ID
459655
Accession number
MA 176 E23
Creator
Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1890. NNPM
Description
1 print : etching, hand-colored ; image: 182 x 278 mm; plate mark: 200 x 287 mm; sheet: 244 x 362 mm
Notes
Written on foot of sheet in pencil below plate mark: 'Pitt, Hastings & Thurlow carving the Kings head'.
Provenance
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from Pearson in 1890. NNPM
Summary
Pitt, Hastings, and Thurlow sit at a circular dinner-table on which is the King's head in a large dish. The dish is ornamented with a crown and the words 'Mal. y . Pense'. Pitt (left) sits in profile to the right cutting off a piece of the tongue with a knife and fork. Thurlow, in his Chancellor's wig and gown, faces him, using two large spoons greedily (cf. BMSat 7166), he is taking brains from a hole in the King's forehead. Hastings (wearing a turban) sits between them gouging out an eye with a spoon and fork. Besides Pitt is a sauce-boat inscribed 'Sauce', beside Thurlow a bottle inscribed 'Vinegar'. Cf. British Museum online catalog.
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