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The Bishop of a Tun's breeches, or, The flaming eveque purifying the house of office

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James Gillray
1756-1815

The Bishop of a Tun's breeches, or, The flaming eveque purifying the house of office

[London] : Pub. May 14th 1792 by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
etching, hand colored
image: 249 x 349 mm; plate mark: 249 x 349 mm; sheet: 271 x 367 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.210
Notes
By James Gillray.
Below caption title: To the Patriots of France & England, this representation of the Burning Zeal of the holy "Attachè a la Mission", and his Colleague "L'Envoié des Poissardes", is most respectfully dedicated -.
Provenance

From the library of Gordon N. Ray.

Summary

Print shows a latrine occupied by a procession headed by Talleyrand holding up a crozier and advancing towards the seat; a demon looks out of the seat, saying, "Ca Ira! Ca Ira!" Talleyrand, as Bishop of Autun, wears mitre, lawn sleeves, long robes; he puts one knee on the seat, showing that his leg above the knee is bare, revealing him a sans-culotte; to his crozier are suspended his blazing breeches. He is followed by a French fish-wife (Chauvelin) carrying a flaming torch inscribed 'Inflammatory Epis[tle]'; in her right hand is a document inscribed 'Instructions from the National Assembly to their Diplomatique'. Two fish hang from her waist. Behind and on the extreme left walk three small Frenchmen with tricolour caps carrying a lighted brazier, a red-hot poker, &c. On the wall, partly obscured by the smoke from the breeches, is a picture of 'The House of Commons'.

Associated names
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Classification
Department
Century prints