print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.12092
- Title
-
Object: Achilles defending his friend Patroclus
-
Series: Political Sketches
- Description
-
No. 761. Parody on Richard Westmacott's sculpture 'Achilles' in Hyde Park; sculpture with two figures; Achilles (Duke of Wellington), holding a shield in his left hand and short sword in his right hand, standing at right, in front of Patroclus (Lord Ellington), wearing a helmet, holding a shield, lying on the ground. March 1843
Lithograph, printed in fawn and black inks
- Production date
- 1843
- Dimensions
-
Height: 329 millimetres
-
Width: 252 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Text from 'An Illustrative Key to the Political Sketches of H.B.', London 1844:
The acts of Lord Ellenborough as Governor-General of India, formed the subject of attack upon the Tory Ministry at the opening of the session of 1843, and nothing could be more complete and unqualified than the defence by the Duke of Wellington. The figure of the noble Duke is the same as that, which, in Hyde Park, bears on its pedestal the title of Achilles, and is said to have been erected in honour of the Duke of Wellington and his brave companions-in-arms, by their admiring countrywomen. There is the usual mixture of classical story and modern incident. Lord Ellenborough as Patroclus, the dear friend of Achilles, is overthrown, but not killed, and the Duke, instead of having to avenge his death, is effectually covering him with his shield, by virtue of which he will rise from the ground, and "live to fight another day."
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated titles
Associated Title: Achilles (sculpture erected in 1822)
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.12092
