- Museum number
- 1868,0808.4896
- Title
- Object: The belligerent Plenipo's
- Description
-
A figure representing each of the five powers between whom peace negotiations were going on stands each on a little island or peninsula of turf behind which is the sea. On the extreme left George III stands holding the ensign flag. He is wearing half a crown and turns his head in profile to the right, saying with an angry expression, “I give them Independence”. At his feet lie a purse, an arm, and a foot, representing spoil taken by England from the other belligerents. Next him is France, wearing a crown, holding the French flag, with his left arm (the arm which lies at the feet of George III) cut off above the elbow and dripping with blood. He is saying, "I must have Canada and Grenada for my Arm".
Next, and in the centre, is Holland, holding a flag with three horizontal stripes (that of the Stadtholder), the right foot amputated above the ankle, a crutch under his right arm. He is weeping and holds a large spotted handkerchief to his eyes, his pockets being inside out, to show the impoverishment caused by the war to Holland. He says, “I insist on Eustatia & Ceylon for my foot”. Next him is Spain, with the Spanish flag, holding up both arms, he waves a crutch held in his right hand, and stands on his right leg, raising in the air a wooden leg. He says, “By Saint Anthony I must have Gibralter for my Leg”. America, a scantily draped woman wearing a feather head-dress, holds in her right hand the striped American flag, the cap of liberty on the flag-staff. She clasps to her breast the other half of George III's crown, and says, “I have got all I -wanted Empire!” She is smiling, in contrast with the melancholy expression of the other figures. The little island on which she stands is fringed by miniature pine-trees. On clouds in the centre of the design, above the flags held by France and Holland, reclines Hibernia wearing a spiky coronet, holding a harp. She is saying, “I deny all foreign Jurisdictions & will roast my own potatoes.” c. Dec. 1782
Etching
- Production date
- 1782
- Dimensions
-
Height: 241 millimetres
-
Width: 350 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Peace negotiations had been going on actively since March. On 30 Nov. 1782 Preliminary Articles were signed at Paris between England and America, with a reservation intended to obscure the breach of the Treaty of Alliance between France and America, that peace was not to be concluded till terms were agreed upon between France and Great Britain. The naval successes of 1782 are reflected in this print, which should be contrasted with BMSat 5959, see also BMSat 6040. For Ireland see BMSat 6002, 6003. The French of course made no claim to Canada, and St. Eustatius and Trinkomali had been recaptured by the French, see p. 559, BMSat 6292.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2016 5 Jul - 2 Oct, Versailles, Palace of Versailles, Versailles and the American Revolution
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.4896