Cartoon: The repeal of the Test Act - a vision
TitleCartoon: The repeal of the Test Act - a vision
ReferenceFRAMED/716
Date
1790
Production date 1790 - 1790
Scope and ContentA complicated design: advocates for religious toleration in a church, the pulpit occupied by Priestley, Price, and Lindsey. Beneath the pulpit is a pew running across the church from left to right and containing the clerk's desk. In this sits Fox (left); facing him in profile to the left is Dr. Abraham Rees. Behind and between these two is a shadowy head, partly obliterated by the smoke issuing from Fox, identified as Sir Henry Hoghton. Next him is a woman with the closed eyes and upturned face of an enthusiast. Seated in profile to the right is Dr. Kippis. Standing beside him is Lord Stanhope, smiling, his head turned in profile to the left. In front of the pulpit the central figure is an exciseman standing with his back to the pulpit and looking over his shoulder at Stanhope with a smile and is Thomas Paine. Next him (right) in back view, kneeling, is a bishop, with enormous lawn sleeves, an open book in front of him is inscribed 'Watson Tracts', suggesting that he is Watson of Llandaff. In the foreground on the left a kneeling man is flinging out the contents of an open chest on which are a bishop's escutcheon, and a female figure with a cross and chalice, probably representing religion. Looking over the shoulder of this despoiler of the Church is a bearded Jew, his hands raised in admiration, saying, "O vat fine plaat I vil give you de Monies for it Sar." On the right and in profile to the left sits a soldier, with the lank hair and upward gaze of the enthusiast; he holds his sabre by the scabbard. Behind him sits a shadowy worshipper, full face, with upturned head and clasped hands. In the foreground on the extreme right a beadle is seated on the floor asleep. His hat is inscribed 'Oliver Condable St James'. Above the back of a pew on the extreme right is part of the back of a wig, identified as that of the Lord Mayor. Through a doorway inscribed 'Sanctum Sanctor[um]' is a three quarter length portrait in an oval frame of Oliver Cromwell. From a gallery in the upper right corner of the design, a ruffianly looking man leans over with a clenched fist, saying, "No Test no Bishops".
Extent1 item
Physical descriptionDimensions (WxH): 36cm x 54cm. Paper. Black and white
LanguageEnglish
Persons keywordPaine, Thomas
SubjectReligion, Laws and legislation, Cartoons
Conditions governing accessOpen
Levelfile
Normal locationAA Framed Box 7 (Cellar)