A tun of 'Wine' lies on solid trestles inscribed 'Treasury Bench'. From its huge bung-hole emerges the naked body of Pitt, as Bacchus, crowned with vine branches. Behind him stands Dundas as Silenus, fat, and partly draped in tartan; his right hand grasps Pitt's shoulder, in his left he holds up a brimming glass. Opposite the tun stands John Bull in profile to the left, looking up at Pitt, hat in hand; in his left hand is a lank purse, under his arm three empty bottles. He is a yokel, with lank hair and hydrocephalic head, wearing a smock and wrinkled gaiters. He says: "Pray Mr Bacchus have a bit of consideration for old John; - you know as how I've emptied my Purse already for you - & its waundedly hard to raise the price of a drop of Comfort, now that one's got no Money left for to pay for it!!!"
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 wine duty, or, The triumph of Bacchus & Silenus; with John Bulls [sic] remonstrance / J. Gy. d. et f.
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James Gillray
1756-1815
The wine duty, or, The triumph of Bacchus & Silenus; with John Bulls [sic] remonstrance / J. Gy. d. et f.
hand colored etching
image: 34 x 23.7 cm; plate: 34.5 x 24.7 cm; sheet: 36 x 25.5 cm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2952
Published:
[London] : H. Humphrey, 1796.
Provenance:
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
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