print; satirical print; book-illustration

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print; satirical print; book-illustration

Object Type: print; satirical print; book-illustration
Museum number: 1855,0609.1937
Title: Object: The Balance Master
Description: Satire on the Duke of Grafton and his domineering manner as prime minister. Grafton, a whip in one hand, standing on a plank balanced like a see-saw across the back of Britannia who kneels beneath, a heavy weight lettered “National Debt” hanging around her neck, on a large rock; her shield and spear lie beside her. At the left of the see-saw sit four of Grafton’s ministers: Lord Camden in Lord Chancellor’s robes in front, behind him Viscount Weymouth, then the Marquis of Granby and finally Sir Fletcher Norton. Grafton points to five other politicians sitting at the other end which he pushes down slightly with his foot: Duke of Bedford in front, followed by others including (according to Stephens) Richard Rigby and Lord Gower. In the foreground the devil and Folly stand on either side of Viscount Barrington. The devil holds up a “Letter of Thanks” and says “Write Another Letter my Lord” referring to Barrington’s letter supporting the intervention of the army at the riots in St George’s Fields on 10th May (see BM Satires 4196). The flames of hell rise up on either side. The print was used as the frontispiece to the November number of The Political Register, 1768. Etching and engraving
Producer name
School/style
Production date: 1768
Materials
Technique: etching; engraving
Dimensions: Height: 104 millimetres (image); Width: 167 millimetres (image)
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects
Associated names: Representation of: Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton; Representation of: Britannia; Representation of: Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden; Representation of: Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath; Representation of: John Manners, Marquess of Granby; Representation of: Fletcher Norton, Baron Grantley; Representation of: John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford; Representation of: Richard Rigby (?); Representation of: Granville Leveson Gower, 1st Marquess of Stafford (?); Representation of: William Barrington, 2nd Viscount Barrington; Representation of: Devil
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1855
Department: Prints and Drawings
Registration number: 1855,0609.1937

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