print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.7945
- Title
- Object: The triumph of truth or the ghost of Diogenes, more hair on end,
- Description
-
Diogenes stands in the House of Commons between the two front benches; both arms are thrown out towards Burdett with a dramatic gesture; in one hand is his lantern, illuminating the patriot at close range; small clouds at his feet indicate that he is a ghost. He turns his head to look steadily at three members on the front Ministerial bench (left), saying: "An Honest Man is the noblest work of God" [Pope, 'Essay on Man', quoted by Burns, cf. No. 11562]. The three culprits (unrecognizable) register shame and terror, their hair standing on end. Burdett stands by the front bench (right) on which is his hat, displaying to the frightened Ministers (one intended for Perceval) a document headed 'Magna Charta—Pro Rege, lege,grege' [see No. 11547]. Except for one member on the front bench, those behind Burdett stand, five being depicted, three of whom wave their hats. All the occupants of the gallery wave still more emphatically. In the background and on the left is the Speaker's Chair; the diminutive Abbot, author of the famous Warrant, see No. 11545, &c., holds up a hand in astonished alarm. Below the title: 'Diogenes being observed looking about with a lanthorn alight a [sic] Noon Day, was asked what he was hunting after when he replied, for an Honest Man'.
May 1810
Hand-coloured etching
- Production date
- 1810
- Dimensions
-
Height: 348 millimetres
-
Width: 245 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VIII, 1947)
Burdett was in the Tower during May, see No. 11558. 'Hair on end' is an allusion to Lethbridge, see No. 11538.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.7945
