The introduction of the Pope to the convocation at Oxford, by the Cardinal broad-bottom / Js. Gillray fect.

Image not available
James Gillray
1756-1815
The introduction of the Pope to the convocation at Oxford, by the Cardinal broad-bottom / Js. Gillray fect.
[London] : Publishd by H Humphrey 27 St James Street London Decr 1st 1809, [1809]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.255
Published: 
[London] : Publishd by H. Humphrey. 27 St James Street London Decr 1st 1809, [1809]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

At head of image: Golgotha, i.e. the place of skulls.
Satire on the approaching election for the Chancellorship of Oxford University.

Summary: 

Print shows Grenville (the future chancellor) dressed as a cardinal, heading a small procession towards the Devil, who wears a robe on which is a large cross, and holds amask with which he is hiding his face. Grenville holds out a paper: Catholic Petition for the vacant Chancellorship with a Plan for Erecting a New Popish Sanhedrim on the ruins of old Alma-Mater. The Devil says: Well done my Children! This is all the Convocation I would have; in his left hand is a pitchfork. The Marquis of Buckingham, dressed as a Jesuit, stands behind him, one hand on his shoulder, the other holding his barbed tail. Beside him is Canning (unrecognizable) wearing a Jesuit's biretta. Beside the Devil is a greyhound with the head of Grey, its collar inscribed Popish Gray Hound. Immediately behind Grenville walks the Pope, wearing his tiara, and holding his cross; he holds up Grenville's robe on which is a large cross. Napoleon crouches behind the Pope, holding on to his robes and hiding under his mantle. Behind walk Temple, dressed as a monk, and his brother, Lord George Grenville, similarly dressed. The former carries the Host, the latter a lighted candle. In the background rows of bishops and clergymen face the procession. Bishops in the front row, humbly sweeping the ground with their mitres, bow low, each clasping a Mass Book, while those behind cheer with raised mortar-board, hand, or Mass Book. On five of the books are the names of bishoprics: York [Vernon], St Asaph [Cleaver], London [Randolph], Oxford [Moss], Norwich [Bathurst].

Artist page: 
Century: 
Classification: 
Department: