print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.4398
- Title
- Object: Common-Wealth / The Colossus
- Description
-
Satire on Wiliam Pitt and his support of American colonists in their objection to the Stamp Act and hinting that he is moving towards republicanism. Pitt is shown as a Colossus on stilts one of which, labelled "Sedition", reaches towards New York with fishing hooks dangling over the heads of colonists floating in the sea; the other, labelled "Popularity", balances on the Royal Exchange, other City of London landmarks, the Monument and St Paul's Cathedral, are shown to the right. The crutch held in Pitt's left hand takes the form of a caduceus, standing for commerce, and reaches towards St Stephen's Chapel in Westminster; the other, labelled "Pension" rests on a group of bubbles labelled "M. Charta / Patriotism / Pension / Continental Connections / War / Peace / Gold Boxes / Minority / Majority". At upper right, is a small round temple on which stands Earl Temple, his face a blank, holding the trumpet of Fame and blowing bubbles labelled "Public Spirit", Honesty" and "Loyalty" towards the City"; a group of people on the ground appear to be shooting at these bubbles (but perhaps at Pitt himself). In the centre, behind Pitt, is an island on which stands an Irishman striding over Dublin and crying, "Ah! by Jesus we will be independant too". At the top of the print is a broad-brimmed Puritan hat, labelled "Common-Wealth" around which is wrapped a rope one end of which hangs above Pitt's head. A scroll on the left, is lettered with verses with references to the Stamp Act and to French interference.
Etching
- Production date
- 1766 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 161 millimetres
-
Width: 226 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- The print was announced in the Public Advertiser, 7 February 1766 "This day is publish'd. A Print, Price Six-pence, A Character not a Carricature, called the Statesman in Stilts; or American Colossus. 'Tis Pity, and Pity 'tis true. Shakespeare. Published by T. Ewart, at the Beehive, oposite Northumberland-street in the Strand."
Stephens records a further reference in the Public Advertiser, 14 February 1766, to the print as having attracted considerable attention when shown in the shop-windows with a copy of descriptive verses satirising Pitt on account of his recent political conduct.
The Irishman wishing to be independent is probably responding to the use of funds allocated to the Irish Establishment which were allegedly used for payments to allies of the government.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.4398