Inscribed "First Proof" in graphite in the margin at bottom left; with the signature of George Cruikshank in graphite in the margin at bottom right.
Title supplied by cataloger.
Steel engraving after a large 1860-1862 painting by Cruikshank entitled "The worship of Bacchus", created as a visual sermon to illustrate the evils of alcoholism. The outlines of the figures were etched by Cruikshank and the plate was finished by the engraver Charles Mottram.
India paper proof printed on chine collé before letters, with the imprint provided en point in the margin at upper right.
Final state is lettered with caption title: The Worship of Bacchus, or The Drinking Customs of Society; lettered at lower left: The figures outlined on the steel plate by George Cruikshank, and the Engraving finished by Charles Mottram.
According to Cohn, the print was originally issued in two states: plain paper and an india proof (chine collé) impression signed by the artist; restrikes of the print were subsequently issued in later years, including a modern re-strike issued to coincide with "Rude Britannia: British Comic Art," a 2010 exhibition at Tate Britain at which Cruikshank's original painting was displayed.
Allegorical print on the dangers of alcoholism; at center, the effigies of Bacchus, Silenus and a Baccante raising their cups, set upon a pedestal formed by large barrels; at the bottom of the pedestal, publicans and their wives serving their customers, who are either insane or fighting; nearby a man dances on an altar dedicated to the people sacrificed to the shrine of Bacchus, and encircled by orphans and widows; in the foreground, incidents in the saloons of middle and high life from childhood to funeral; in the background, various buildings, among which distilleries, hospital, cemetery, asylum and gallows. Cf British Museum online catalog.