Shearing the black sheep

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Robert Seymour
1798-1836
Shearing the black sheep
wood engraving
65 x 83 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2118a
Published: 
[London] : [William Strange], [ca. 1834]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Probably detached from one of four issues of Whiggeries and waggeries, London : William Strange, 1834. This publication reprinted wood engravings by Robert Seymour, Robert Cruikshank, and others which had previously appeared-- with different captions-- in Figaro in London, also published by Strange. The identical image appeared in Figaro in London, no. 8, 1832, with the title Shearing of the political black sheep.

Summary: 

Brougham holds across his legs a fat black-faced sheep, with a bishop's wig and lawn sleeves, grasping the tail, which is inscribed "Plurality", and using shears whose blades are "Schedule A" and "Schedule B", he clips coins from the fleece which fall in a pile. Behind are sheep already shorn, one having the face of the Duke of Cumberland, another that of Eldon. Large money-bags are inscribed "£40000, 50000, 30000." In the background is a church tower with a Union flag.

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