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James Gillray
1756-1815
The vulture of the Constitution
[London] : Pubd. Jany 3d 1789, by H. Humphrey, New Bond St., [1789]
etching and aquatint, hand colored
image: 217 x 326 mm; plate mark: 248 x 351 mm; sheet: 255 x 352 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.592
Notes
Printmaker from George.
Provenance
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Summary
Print shows a monstrous vulture with the head of Pitt grasping in its left claw the crown and sceptre, and in the other the coronet of the Prince of Wales; the latter he crushes under the weight of his powerful talons, while he bites at the Prince's feathers, one of which he has already plucked out. The gorged bird's bulging breast is inscribed 'Treasury'; under the crown lies the torn 'Magna Charta'.
Associated names
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Artist
Classification
Department
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