A Right Honorable, Alias a Sans Culotte, London, S. Fores, 1792
English Patriot? Or French Revolutionary? Cruikshank, Isaac [1764-1811]. A Right Honorable, Alias a Sans Culotte. London: S. Fores, December 20, 1792. 12-3/4" x 11-1/4" (32.4 x 28.6 cm) hand-colored etching and aquatint (measured to plate marks) on wove paper, without watermark, mounted to board. Vertical fold through center, even toning, a few minor chips and light soiling to margins, two minor tears touching image. A very good impression with vivid colors. $950. * A scathing critique of British statesman Charles James Fox and his perceived duplicity regarding the French Revolution. The artwork uses a classic "split-figure" layout to illustrate political hypocrisy: The Left Side (The Sans-Culotte): This half portrays Fox as a ragged, fierce-looking French revolutionary (sans-culotte). He has wild hair, wears a torn tricolor vest, wields a heavy wooden club, and sings revolutionary songs like "Ca Ira". The Right Side (The Right Honorable): This half portrays Fox as an elegant, smiling British gentleman. He features neatly powdered hair, fine clothes, and holds a document supporting the "Association against Levellers" while singing "God Save Great George our King". His feet straddle a body of water representing the Straits of Dover, highlighting his attempt to bridge the gap between British loyalty and French radicalism. During late 1792, the French Revolution grew increasingly violent, deeply alarming the British establishment. Charles James Fox, a leading Whig politician, traditionally sympathized with French liberty, earning him the nickname "The Man of the People". However, as public sentiment turned against France, Fox had to publicly distance himself from French radicalism to preserve his domestic career. Cruikshank's print mocks this shift, suggesting Fox was a dangerous radical at heart who only feigned British patriotism out of convenience. Cruikshank was one of the great social and political satirists of his day. Like his sons Isaac Robert and George Cruikshank, he was a pioneer in the history of comics through creating several cartoons which make use of narrative sequences and/or speech balloons. Samuel William Fores [1761-1838], commonly credited as S.W., or S., Fores, was a highly prominent English publisher and printseller who operated in London during the "Golden Age" of Georgian satirical car.
Price: $950.00
Book number 86987