Doctor Plot

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Doctor Plot
etching and aquatint
image: 233 x 182 mm; sheet: 303 x 196 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2336
Published: 
[Kent] : Pubd Octr 15. 1787 by W. Divey, Black-heath, Kent, [1787]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Inscription: 

Inscribed in pencil below image: Dr. Taylor of Westminster.

Notes: 

Title from item.
Lettered: "O. P. del." and "Q. R. Sculp."
Beneath the design, the stork and anchor, apparently the Doctor's crest, are enclosed in a medallion, beside which is engraved: 'Curs'd be the Art by which I was decoy'd, And dam'd the Vassal of this Miscreant's Pride; To stand pourtray'd, a Prisoner of State, Upon his Coaches side, and Iron Gate, And stamp a satire on his purloin'd Plate.
"A satire on an unidentified parson. The crest is that of the Pitt family."--British Museum online catalog.
Trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

Print shows a parson, much caricatured, standing and holding out a paper inscribed "The Reversionary Deed £100 for 11000". From his coat-pocket protrudes a paper: "one of my Will[s]". A demon standing in a pit or newly dug grave holds a chain which is attached to one of his ankles. Behind the pit (left) is a rectangular tomb inscribed "Give to Genius his own Offspring". An arm extends from the left margin of the design to grasp a money-bag inscribed "Simony" which stands on the tomb. On the right is a cradle filled with (?) documents. On it stands a stork, whose right leg is placed on an anchor. To the anchor is attached a string, the other end of which is held by a winged woman (? an angel) who looks down from clouds. Behind the cradle is a circular tent, inscribed "Bosworth Field Action"; its apex is surmounted by a skull wearing a mitre. Behind the tomb is a churchyard leading to a church. Cf. British Museum catalog.

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