drawing
- Museum number
- 1871,0812.1804
- Description
-
A tailor bewitched; tailor to right carrying roll of cloth under arms, is prodded by demon behind him holding pitchfork, two snakes at his feet, cauldron in centre with winged magician to left surrounded by three witches. 1790
Brush drawing in grey wash with watercolour
- Production date
- 1790
- Dimensions
-
Height: 333 millimetres
-
Width: 474 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- This drawing was designed to be published as a caricature and uses the ploy of witchcraft and sorcery to ridicule those who cheat on their customers. The verses tell the tailor’s story:
‘Old Belzebub of horrid note./ Employ’d a Taylor for a coat/ Who prone to cabbage-craft and pelf/ By art o’erreach’d Old Nick himself./ For which a powerful magician/soon brought poor Buckram to contrition/With Magic spells encircled round/ Behold him fix’d upon the ground.’
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2014-15 Sept - Jan.London, BM, Witches and Wicked Bodies
- Acquisition date
- 1871
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1871,0812.1804