Thomas Rowlandson
1756-1827
The apostate Jack R- : the political rat catcher. NB. Rats taken alive!
[London] : Pub'd by W. Humphrey No. 227 Strand, [1 March 1784]
etching with stipple
sheet: 215 x 327 mm
Peel 3425
Notes
Title from item.
Lettered with title (the "s" in "apostate" reversed, "Jack" spelt wih an "I").
Printmaker and date from George.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.
Lettered with title (the "s" in "apostate" reversed, "Jack" spelt wih an "I").
Printmaker and date from George.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.
Provenance
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Summary
John Robinson, the former Secretary to the Treasury, shown on his hands and knees in a room full of rats with human faces, is baiting one of them with a strip of paper inscribed, "pension." On his back is a cage baited with a coronet and "places" and two rats inside. Other rats group mostly around the coins spread on the floor and look at Robinson expectantly. On the wall hangs a list of "rats of note," i.e., the members of Parliament Robinson already bribed against Charles Fox.
Associated names
Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810, publisher.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.
Artist
Classification
Department
Century prints
Catalog link