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Uncorking Old Sherry

Uncorking Old Sherry

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James Gillray

Richard Sheridan, member of the House of Commons, was criticized by Pitt for a particularly long oration in the course of a debate over a bill tendered by Pitt. Of Sheridan's speech, Pitt replied, “All his hoarded repartees, all his matured jests, . . . all his severe invectives . . . he kindles into a blaze of eloquence, and it comes out together, whether it has any relation to the subject in debate or not.” The debate lasted well into the early morning of March 7, and by March 10 this print had been published showing Pitt uncorking a bottle containing the head of Sheridan which froths violently. The scene is the House of Commons, and in the benches are various bottled members including Fox labeled as "True French Wine," to demean his ideas as suspiciously revolutionary.
Artist
James Gillray
(Scottish, 1757 - 1815)
Title
Uncorking Old Sherry
Date
1805
Medium
Hand-colored etching
Dimensions
13 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. Overall
Credit
Gift of the heirs of William S. Marshall
Accession No.
53.8.11
Classification
Prints
Geography
Scotland

Related

1953, gifted by the heirs of William S. Marshall to the University of Wisconsin – Madison; 1967, transferred to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Wright, Thomas and R.H. Evans. "Historical & Descriptive Account of the Caricatures of James Gillray; Comprising a Political and Humorous History of the Latter Part of the Reign of George the Third." New York/London: Benjamin Blom, 1968. pp. 232-239, cat. no. 293

  • British Satire from Hogarth to Cruikshank: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 9/15/2001–11/4/2001

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