Title etched below image.
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.
Concerning the civil conflict in Holland between the Patriots, relying on French support, and the Orangists.
Printed within image at upper right: Plenipotentiary. N. 4.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.
Four monarchs divide between them a map of the territories of the Dutch Republic, all saying, "Let us support the poor Dutch!" In the background (left) the 'Stadt House' falls in ruins, and on a small rock in the sea inscribed 'Texel' a fat Dutchman in back view, looking out to sea, says, "Now, I am an Absolute Monarch"; the words ascend in the smoke of his pipe. He holds a sword and is surrounded by cackling geese. All four sovereigns hold the map, and all shed tears: George III (right) tugs at it with both hands, tearing off a piece inscribed 'Good Hope', 'Java', 'Saba', 'Eustatia', 'Curac', 'Bonaire' (?), 'Coruba', 'St Martins', 'Surinam'. Frederick William of Prussia (left), seated on the ground, wearing a fool's cap decorated with the skull and cross-bones of the Death's Head Hussars, uses a dagger to cut off a piece containing 'Friesland', 'Groningen', 'Overyisel', and 'Ceylon'. The Emperor Joseph, standing opposite Frederick William, slices the map with a large sword, securing 'Utrecht', 'Zalper' (?), 'Holland', 'Molucca Islands'. Between Joseph and George III Louis XVI, dressed as a French fop, uses a pair of shears to cut off 'Guelderland', 'Zeeland', 'Rotterda[m]', and 'Hague'. Cf. British Museum online catalogue.