PUBLISHER: The Political Register. vol. iii., for Oct., 1768.
MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving
DATE: 1768
EDITION SIZE: Image 4 x 4 1/4"(10.2 x 10.7 cm)
DESCRIPTION: This print appeared as a frontispiece to the Political Register, June 1768.<br><br> Satire eulogising John Wilkes and attacking his enemies. He stands under a palm tree behind a low picket fence lettered “the pale of English Liberty”, one hand resting on a low column lettered “fortitude” and the other pointing to his chest on which is written ,as if on a collar, “magna Charta”. He is approached by a threatening group led by Lord Bute holding a drawn sword, beside whom stands Princess Augusta with a dagger raised as if to stab Wilkes, behind them is a blindfold figure probably intended for the King, and Lord Mansfield holding a scroll lettered “Nulli differemus justiciam”. Over Mansfield’s Sir Fletcher Norton raises his fist, and at the back Lord Sandwich, in a jockey’s cap and carrying a cricket bat, looks on angrily. The genius of Truth hovers over Wilkes holding a mirror and a wreath that she is about to place on his head. Underneath are four lines from Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”. (Act IV, Sc.3).
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition.
REFERENCE: BM 4239