print; satirical print; puzzle-picture

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Object Type: print; satirical print; puzzle-picture
Museum number: 1868,0808.4292
Title: Object: Excise A Comical Hieroglyphical Epistle from [Beelzebub] to [Lord Bute]
Description: A rebus letter headed by representations of the Devil with a fork for a foot, and Lord Bute's head and shoulders of Bute taken from Ramsay's portrait (not caricatured). The letter suggests that, following his "diabolic" conclusion of the Peace with France and the "master stroke" of the Cider Tax, Bute should introduce taxes on other food and drink, "for why should the Vulgar (who are no more than Brutes in your Opinion) have anything to Eat above Grass without paying Tribute to their Superiors" 1 April 1763 Etching and rocker-work
Producer name: After: Jefferyes Hamett O'Neale; After: Allan Ramsay; Published by: John Williams
School/style
Production date: 1763
Production place: Published in: London (England)
Materials
Technique: etching; drypoint
Dimensions: Height: 291 millimetres; Width: 193 millimetres
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: The devil bears a distinct resemblance to those in satires designed by Jefferyes Hamett O'Neale.
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects: satire; taxation
Associated names: Portrait of: John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute; Representation of: Devil
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1868
Department: Prints and Drawings
Registration number: 1868,0808.4292

Free entry