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James Gillray
1756-1815
Bonus melior optimus, or, The Devil's the best of the bunch / Thos. Pether invt.
etching, hand colored
image: 214 x 324 mm; sheet: 241 x 336 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2451
Published:
[London] : Pubd. April 22d 1783, by W. Humphrey, No. 227, Strand [1783]
Provenance:
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes:
Printmaker from BM Satires.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.
Summary:
Lord North, sitting on a large roll inscribed "Budget" offers Charles Fox a spoonful of broth from a bowl in his lap. He warns Fox to " ... Be cautious! - a little of my Broth goes a great way - ..." Fox, with a fox's head, sits on "Pandora's Box," his right arm round North's shoulder, saying, " ... - give me a sup of your soup - ..." To the right, a devil squatting on a low stool in front of a fireplace blows bellows at the fire under a large cauldron with more broth in it. A large coalition medal (cf. George 6183) with the likenesses of North and Fox hangs above the mantel.
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