Ass upon ass

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Ass upon ass
etching
image: 194 x 149 mm; sheet: 222 x 160 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2274
Published: 
[London] : Pub by H Humphrey, No. 18 New Bond Strt, [1780]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Date of possible publication from BM Satires.
Library's copy trimmed to plate mark.

Summary: 

Print shows Lord Amherst in uniform in profile to the left, riding an ass from whose head a large crown has just fallen. The animal (representing the king) wears a large collar inscribed "Honi Soi[t]"; its fore-feet are planted on a large "Protestant Petition"; its side is being gashed by its rider's spur, so that a stream of blood pours on to the petition. Round its near fore-leg writhes a fanged serpent inscribed "Gordon". Amherst's hat is falling off, in his right hand he holds a sword with an irregular blade inscribed "Rebellion". A mitre is suspended (or falling) above the ass's head. Cf. BM Satires.

Classification: 
Department: