The Bishop of a Tun's Breeches, cartoon
TitleThe Bishop of a Tun's Breeches, cartoon
ReferenceFRAMED/056
Date
14 May 1792
Production date 1792-05-14 - 1792-05-14
Scope and ContentThe Bishop of a Tun's Breeches or the Flaming Eveque purifying the House of Office
From Catalogue of political and personal satires preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum: vol 6
"[Gillray.] Published May 14th 1792, by H. Humphrey N. 18 Old Bond street Engraving.
The interior of a latrine; a procession, headed by Talleyrand holding up a crozier, advances towards the seat; through the circular aperture looks out the head of a demon, saying, "Ca Ira! Ca Ira!" Talleyrand, as Bishop of Autun, wears mitre, lawn sleeves, long robes; he puts one knee on the seat, showing that his leg above the knee is bare, revealing him a sans-culotte ; to his crozier are suspended his blazing breeches. He is followed by a French fish-wife, walking in profile to the r., and carrying a flaming torch inscribed "Inflammatory Epis[tle]"; in her r. hand is a document inscribed "Instructions from the National Assembly to their Diplomatique". Two fish hang from her waist. Behind and on the extreme l. walk three small and ruffianly Frenchmen with tricolour caps carrying a lighted brazier, a red-hot poker, &c. On the wall (r.), partly obscured by the smoke from the breeches and in danger of destruction, is a picture of The House of Commons. Beneath the title is etched: "To the Patriots of France & England, this representation of the Burning Zeal of the holy "Attache a la Mission" and his Colleague "L’Envoie des Poissardes" is most respectfully dedicated".
The poissarde is evidently Chauvelin, Minister Plenipotentiary from the King of the French, to whom Talleyrand was ostensibly only unofficial adviser. Their mission was to secure the neutrality of England in a war between France and Austria. The print is typical of the growing prejudice against France, believed to be stirring up sedition in England, and remarkable in the knowledge it reveals of Talleyrand's true position."
From Catalogue of political and personal satires preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum: vol 6
"[Gillray.] Published May 14th 1792, by H. Humphrey N. 18 Old Bond street Engraving.
The interior of a latrine; a procession, headed by Talleyrand holding up a crozier, advances towards the seat; through the circular aperture looks out the head of a demon, saying, "Ca Ira! Ca Ira!" Talleyrand, as Bishop of Autun, wears mitre, lawn sleeves, long robes; he puts one knee on the seat, showing that his leg above the knee is bare, revealing him a sans-culotte ; to his crozier are suspended his blazing breeches. He is followed by a French fish-wife, walking in profile to the r., and carrying a flaming torch inscribed "Inflammatory Epis[tle]"; in her r. hand is a document inscribed "Instructions from the National Assembly to their Diplomatique". Two fish hang from her waist. Behind and on the extreme l. walk three small and ruffianly Frenchmen with tricolour caps carrying a lighted brazier, a red-hot poker, &c. On the wall (r.), partly obscured by the smoke from the breeches and in danger of destruction, is a picture of The House of Commons. Beneath the title is etched: "To the Patriots of France & England, this representation of the Burning Zeal of the holy "Attache a la Mission" and his Colleague "L’Envoie des Poissardes" is most respectfully dedicated".
The poissarde is evidently Chauvelin, Minister Plenipotentiary from the King of the French, to whom Talleyrand was ostensibly only unofficial adviser. Their mission was to secure the neutrality of England in a war between France and Austria. The print is typical of the growing prejudice against France, believed to be stirring up sedition in England, and remarkable in the knowledge it reveals of Talleyrand's true position."
Extent1 framed item
Physical descriptionDimensions (H X W): 34cm X 43cm
Persons keywordGillray, James, de Talleyrand-Perigord, Charles, de Chauvelin, Francois-Bernard
Conditions governing accessOpen
Levelfile
Normal locationD Plan Chest Drawer 5 (Room 12)