Opening of the budget - or - John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon

Opening of the budget - or - John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon

Item Information

Title:
Opening of the budget - or - John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon
Title (alt.):
Opening of the budget. Or, John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon
Description:
Pitt (right) stands stiffly in profile to the left, holding open a large sack-like wallet. He addresses John Bull, the central figure, a stout yokel, who holds out his breeches in his left hand to Pitt, while he touches his hat. The budget and the breeches pockets are full of guineas. Dundas, Grenville, and Burke kneel on the right, bending towards the 'Budget,' each with his left hand in an opening in a vertical seam, eagerly grabbing guineas. Behind them is the stone archway of the Treasury, with its high spiked gate. Dundas, the most prominent, wears Highland dress and holds a Scots cap full of coins. Grenville wears a peer's robe. Burke is behind. They echo Pitt. John Bull's coat and waistcoat are sound, but the pockets hang inside out, empty. His lank hair, knotted kerchief, and wrinkled gaiters denote the small farmer. Behind (left), on the shore, stands Fox looking across the water towards the fortress of Brest flying a tricolour flag. He hails it with upraised arms (BM). / On the heavy taxation of the year 1796, and the demand for voluntary contributions, which were forced from poor John Bull by the continued alarm of a French invasion. Dundas, Grenville, and Burke are busy helping themselves, while Fox, excluded from his share in the regular way, is calling in the assistance of his friends, the Sans-culottes of France, who were supposed to be preparing their invasion at Brest (Wright/Evans).
Artist:
Gillray, James, 1756-1815
Name on Item:
J. Gillray Invt.
Date:
November 17, 1796
Format:
Prints
Genre:
Etchings
Caricatures
Satires (Visual works)
Location:
Boston Public Library
Arts Department
Collection (local):
James Gillray (1756-1815). Prints and Drawings
Subjects:
Politicians
Prime ministers
Nobility
Taxes
John Bull (Symbolic character)
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797
Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834
Extent:
1 print : hand-colored etching ; sheet 23 x 32 cm
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z111m49k
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Publisher:
London : Published by John Miller, Bridge Street & W. Blackwood, Edinburgh
Language:
English
Notes:
Title from item.
Alternative title from Wright/Evans.
BM Satires 8836; Wright/Evans 157
Additional information accompanying item: From the 1824 Gillray collection of copies, etched and published by John Miller and W. Blackwood.
Notes (acquisition):
Gift; Louis Black; December 1953
Notes (date):
Date from Wright/Evans.
Reproduction. Date indicated is Gillray's original publication date.
Notes (citation):
Stephens, Frederic George, George, Mary Dorothy. "Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum." British Museum Press, 1870, London.
Wright, Thomas, R. H. Evans. "Historical and descriptive account of the caricatures of James Gillray." Benjamin Blom, 1968, New York.
Identifier:
18_17_000086
Barcode:
36666004443608