Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

The Westminster hunt

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James Gillray
1756-1815

The Westminster hunt

[London] : Pub'd April 27th 1788 by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly, [1788]
etching, hand colored
image: 230 x 339 mm; plate mark: 247 x 348 mm; sheet: 245 x 35 mm
Peel 1620
Notes
Attributed to Gillray by George.
Provenance

Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.

Summary

Print shows a pack of hounds in full cry after an animal with the head of Hastings which runs through the gate of St. James's Palace (right). He wears a turban; a collar round his neck is inscribed 'Hyana', and a large bag inscribed 'Diamonds & Rupees' is tied to his tail. The hounds are being whipped back by Thurlow (left) who rides an ass with the head of the King, shouting "Back! Back!" He wears a hunting-cap and boots with monstrous spurs, with his Chancellor's wig and gown. He is riding over the hounds who have the heads of the leading Managers of Hastings's impeachment. North (not a Manager) lies prostrate and apparently dead under the ass's heels. Burke is being crushed under the animal's off foreleg, while the other kicks Fox. The foremost of the pack is Sheridan, his collar inscribed 'Drury Lane'. Behind him are Fox, a dog whose collar is inscribed 'Francis', and Michael Angelo Taylor, his collar inscribed 'Law-Chick'. The King's head is in profile to the right, his saddle is ornamented with a crown and a jewel is suspended from his neck. Two sentries stand at the gate of the Palace with pens in their caps, probably indicating that they are the two Secretaries of State. Cf. George.

Associated names
Fores, S. W., publisher.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850 former owner.
Classification
Department