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James Gillray
1756-1815
Bat-catching / Js. Gillray inv & fct.
[London] : Pubd Jany 19, 1803, by Js Gillray 27, St. James Street, [1803]
etching and aquatint, hand colored
image: 239 x 330 mm; plate mark: 255 x 355 mm; sheet: 319 x 437 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.325
Notes
At right of text: "Bat-catching, (says Buffon,) does not require much art, for, flying always in the Night, they are easily attracted by a Dark-Lanthorn & being always hungry, may be easily caught, by a few Cheese-Parings, or Candle Ends; - they are so rapacious, that if they once get into the Granary, they never cease devouring, while there is any thing left." - Vide. Buffon's Nat: His. Article Birds of Night.
Provenance
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Summary
Print shows Addington and Hawkesbury with a lantern in the gateway of the Treasury (inscribed 'Granary'), snaring three bats with the heads of Grey, Sheridan, and Tierney. Addington kneels on one knee holding a hat with a tricolour cockade filled with papers inscribed 'Sinecure', 'Place', 'Annuity', 'Pension', 'Post'. Hawkesbury, standing behind him, holds out a net supported on two sticks in which to catch the creatures which fly, like harpies, straight towards Addington, dazzled by the lantern's rays. Beside Addington is a sack of 'Sterling British Corn', overflowing with guineas.
Associated names
Gillray, James, 1756-1815, publisher.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Artist
Classification
Department
Century prints
Catalog link