print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.6093
- Title
- Object: Friar Bacon and his Brazen Head
- Description
-
George III (three quarter length) sits in a chair, asleep, in profile to the left. He is dressed as Friar Bacon in a gown, his hat or cap resembling that which he wears in BMSat 7836, and has a wand in his folded arms. Facing him is a large bust of Pitt, with closed eyes and an enigmatic half-smile. Beneath the title is etched: 'And Friar Bacon made unto himself a head of Brass, to answer difficult questions And Friar Bacon watched it incessantly day and night, but it spake not a word. At length the Friar with overwatching fell asleep - and the people without were much enraged thereat, as the Question was an important one, viz
War or Peace!!' 10 August 1791
Etching with hand-colouring
- Production date
- 1791
- Dimensions
-
Height: 342 millimetres
-
Width: 249 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VI, 1938)
Pitt's policy for the Triple Alliance to bring pressure to bear on Russia, to secure protection for Poland, and the 'status quo ante' for Turkey (see BMSat 7841, &c.), was frustrated by the attitude of the Opposition and the devious policy of Prussia in pursuing her private ends against Poland. A peace policy had been indicated by the resignation of Leeds on 21 April (see BMSat 7851). Preliminaries of peace between Russia and Turkey were signed 10 Aug. 1791. The King is blamed for subservience to Pitt (c. BMSat 4883). For the Brazen Head cf. BMSat 6373, &c.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.6093
