An old English gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places

An old English gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places

Item Information

Title:
An old English gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places
Title (alt.):
An old English gentleman pestered by servants wanting places
Description:
George III stands on a low rectangular platform placed upon a boarded floor and is approached from all sides by applicants for office. He is in back view, but turns his head in profile to the left, to inspect a group through his spy-glass. In the front row (left), bowing low, are three Grenvilles, the Broad-Bottoms par excellence: Grenville holds a gold-laced coachman's hat and long whip. In bowing he has split his tight breeches. His nephew Temple is next him, then the spectacled Buckingham. Close behind is the emaciated Sidmouth, hat in hand and holding out a bottle labeled Cathartic. Next him and nearer the spectator stands Whitbread, dressed as a porter, and mopping his head. His porter's knot is on the ground, inscribed: Saml Froth his Knot--Carries any Weight in any Weather. He supports against his knees a huge rectangular pile of Motions to be brought in the House of Commons. Behind him and on the extreme left Lord Henry Petty capers to a dancing-master's kit which he plays with his fingers. Behind Petty and Whitbread are two men dressed as chairmen with straps across the shoulder: one is Grattan; the other (?) Ponsonby. Behind these and in the doorway (left) is a group of three: Cobbett, holding up his hat and a sheaf of Cobbett Political Register. Townsend, the Bow Street officer, holding up his constable's staff, faces the group. From the back of his head a label floats towards the Grenvilles. All these are on the King's left hand. At right angles to them, and facing the King, though farther from him, Moira, in regimentals, stands between Erskine (right) and Windham (left) (they represent the Carlton House interest). The King's own servants stand facing him, one behind the other, on the platform. A greyhound with the head of Grey, but with a curious beak or snout projecting from his profile, fawns on Portland, who is next the King. Behind Portland stands Perceval, wearing his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown. He puts up a hand to ward off Tierney who bows humbly. Behind Perceval stands (?) Camden. Sheridan, who is behind Tierney, looks up to three Ministers seated pen in hand in a small gallery (right) in which money-bags are ranged. These are the three Secretaries of State (left to right): Castlereagh, Canning, Liverpool. He addresses Canning, his old friend. He seems to speak also for the Duke of Norfolk. The Duke of Bedford, as a yokel in a smock, holding a pitchfork, bows low. Behind him is Lord St. Vincent in naval uniform, with an expression of senile envy. In his pocket is a Scheme for Crimping. Behind him Lord Spencer, dressed as a watchman, with a staff and lantern, and with a sleeve-badge: an Old State Watchman., stands with bent back and closed eye. Behind him is the Duke of Norfolk looking at the King with senile melancholy (BM).
Artist:
Gillray, James, 1756-1815
Name on Item:
Jas. Gillray del.
Date:
May 16, 1809
Format:
Prints
Genre:
Etchings
Caricatures
Satires (Visual works)
Location:
Boston Public Library
Arts Department
Collection (local):
James Gillray (1756-1815). Prints and Drawings
Subjects:
Kings
Politicians
Nobility
Authors
Military officers
Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823
Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834
Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813
Ponsonby, George, 1755-1817
Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839
Canning, George, 1770-1827
Cobbett, William, 1763-1835
Grattan, Henry, 1746-1820
Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863
Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845
Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822
Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844
Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834
Tierney, George, 1761-1830
Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815
Windham, William, 1750-1810
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826
St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823
Bedford, John Russell, Duke of, 1766-1839
Extent:
1 print : hand-colored etching ; sheet 23 x 32 cm
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z111m357
Terms of Use:
No Copyright - United States icon No Copyright - United States
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Language:
English
Notes:
Title from item.
Alternative title from Wright/Evans.
BM Satires 11330; Wright/Evans 355
Additional information accompanying item: From the 1824 Gillray collection of copies, etched and published by John Miller and W. Blackwood.
Notes (acquisition):
Gift; Louis Black; December 1953
Notes (date):
Date from Wright/Evans.
Reproduction. Date indicated is Gillray's original publication date.
Notes (citation):
Stephens, Frederic George, George, Mary Dorothy. "Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum." British Museum Press, 1870, London.
Wright, Thomas, R. H. Evans. "Historical and descriptive account of the caricatures of James Gillray." Benjamin Blom, 1968, New York.
Identifier:
18_17_000079
Barcode:
36666004443533