A sphere projecting against a plane

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James Gillray
1756-1815
A sphere projecting against a plane
[London] : Pubd Jany 3d 1792 by H Humphrey, N 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.161
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. Jany. 3d. 1792 by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

By James Gillray.
Below caption title: 'Definitions from Euclid. Def: Ist B: 4th. A sphere, is a figure bounded by a convex surface; it is the most perfect of all forms; its properties are generated from its centre; and it possesses a larger area than any other figure. - Def: 2d B: Ist A plane, is a perfectly even & regular Surface, it is the most simple of all figures ; it has neither the properties of length or of breadth ; and when applied ever so closely to a sphere, can only touch its superficies, without being able to enter it - Vide. Euclid, illustrated; by the Honble Mrs Circumference.'

Summary: 

Print shows a thin and linear Pitt beside a spherical Mrs. Hobart. She stands on a rectangular platform on castors, her circumference resting against Pitt's post-like person. She looks up at him expectantly; he stares over her head with a pained expression.

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