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Description found in Archives
Title
Arrangement structure
Item (linked) part of
Bilingual equivalent
Date(s)
December 17, 1795
Place
37 New Bond Steet, London, England
Place of creation
No place, unknown, or undetermined
Publisher
Mrs. H. Humprey
sold by: R. & C. Chalmers
Extent
Support: 44.400 x 32.700 cm (irregular)
Image: 43.800 x 29.300 cm (irregular)
Secondary support: 71.100 x 55.900 cm (mat)
Scope and content
This is an elaborate parody of Benjamin West's 1770 "Death of Wolfe" commemorating Wolfe's victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1759. The dying hero here is William Pitt, Prime Minister of Britain 1783 to 1801, and 1804 to 1806, expiring (politically) at the moment of victory. The passage of the Treason and Sedition Bills, which became law the next day, is the victory in this case. Pitt is being supported (left to right) by: Edmund Burke, paymaster of the forces; Pepper Arden, Master of the
Rolls; and Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Mellville, an ally and minister of Pitt, offering Pitt a farewell glass of wine. the officer holding the British flag is Lord Chatham, Pitt's older brother; the man supporting him is a memeber of the House, Mr. Thomas Powys, noted for his propensity to break into tears in the Commons. The Lord Chancellor, Loughborough, figures as a Mohawk Indian seated on the Ground. The two running-footmen in livery are Sir Charles Long and George Rose, Treasury
secretaries. Also seen are Lords Mansfield and Grenville, William Windham, Secretary at War, the Duke of Richmond, and another figure thought to be Brook Watson, a member of Parliament.
From "Caricaturing Canada: English Views of Canadian Affairs", catalogue accompanying Carleton University 1985 exhibition in conjunction with the National Archives and National Gallery of Canada.
Conditions of access
No restrictions on access to originals,
or on use for reproduction or publication.
Copy negative C-003647
A218-01 Item no. assigned by LAC 68
00068
Terms of use
Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1989-514-68
Copyright: Expired
Additional name(s)
Copyist (art):
Gillray, James, 1757-1815.
Artist:
West, Benjamin, 1738-1820.
Wolfe, James, 1727-1759
Additional information
Signatures and inscriptions
Inscription: in the plate, l.l.: Js. Gy. d:et f; l.c.: The DEATH of the Great WOLF.; l.r.: Pubd. Decr. 17th by H. Humphrey. 37, New Bond Street.; b.: ___ "We have overcome all Opposition! ___ exclaimed the Mefsengers, ___ "I'm satisfied." ___ said the Dying Hero, & Expired in the Moment of Victory./ To Benjn. West Efqr. Prefident of the Royal Academy, this attempt to Emulate the Beauties of his unequal'd Picture, of the "Death of Genl. Wolfe," is most refpectfully submitted, by the Author.
Subject heading
1. England.
2. event.
3. événement.
4. Historical Events - 1795 (ATTACK ON WILLIAM PITT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS)
5. Death and burial.
6. Wolfe, James,
Source
Private
Other system control no.
MIKAN no.
2836701
- Date modified: