Jove in his chair

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Jove in his chair
etching, hand colored
image: 227 x 335 mm; sheet: 245 x 347 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2389
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. Septr. 11, 1782 by E. D'Achery St. James's Street, [1782]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

By James Gillray.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

Print shows Shelburne, in a triumphal car, drawn by two asses with the heads of Dunning (Baron Ashburton) and General Conway. He is saying, "In my presence, scoundrel Peasants Shall not call their Souls their own!" Under his feet is Britannia's shield; a fleur-de-lys as a crest decorates the side of the car. His head is irradiated. At the back of the car, as a footman, stands William Pitt, very young, and holding up in his left hand a 'horn book' with the alphabet. Under his right arm are two rolled documents inscribed "[Chan]cellor of Excheqr" and "Ways & Means". In front of the asses, as a running footman, runs Col. Barré. In his right hand is a money-bag inscribed "3000£ pr Annm", indicating the pension which caused so great a scandal. The wings of Mercury are attached to his hat and shoes and in his right hand he holds the staff carried by running footmen.

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