1782 (1849) Antique Print; The Church Militant & Guy Vaux by James Gillray

Description: On offer: an original (i.e. not a later reproduction) scarce antique print "Guy Vaux." and on the other side "The Church Militant." In 'Guy Vaux', George III, with an ass's head, sits on a throne asleep, his wrists shackled. Through a wide doorway a crowd of conspirators is entering led by Fox with a fox's head, as Guy Vaux, holding a dark lantern. The king, in profile to the right, is on a raised dais against the left wall. He wears a fool's cap. Beneath his chair is a barrel inscribed "Gun Powder". The similarity of the names Vaux (Fawkes) to Fox was a one of those seemingly providential gifts to satirists of the late 18th century like the striking contrast in physique and manner between William Pitt and Charles James Fox. And Gillray (for one) took full advantage of it. In at least four prints over the course of his career, Gillray compares Charles James Fox, leader of the opposition Whigs, to the nefarious Guy Fawkes, the most famous member of the Catholic plot to assassinate King James and blow up the House of Lords during the official opening of Parliament in 1605. This is the first of those prints. 'The Church Militant' shows a procession of bishops and clergy march from left to right. According to Wright and Evans, this clerical/military procession is led by William Markham, the Archbishop of York, and also includes the Archbishops of Canterbury and Oxford. All were staunch supporters of the Lord North's policies in America. This holy war, then, is not against the devil but the colonies. After him walk two boy choristers chanting from an open music book held between them. One sings "O Lord our God, Arise", the other, "Scatter our Enemies". Next come three bishops: a lean ascetic who carries their standard, between two who are stout and gross. On the standard, which is attached to a crozier, is "To Arms O Israel", and a mitre between two crossed croziers. The prelate on the standard-bearer's left sings, "Give us good Beef in Store", the other, who carries a musket on his shoulder, sings "When that's gone, send us more". Behind them a fat bishop sings "And the Key of the Cellar Door", while the cleric next him, who wears an academic gown and cap, sings "That we may drink". (ref: British Museum). DATE PRINTED: 1849 from plates first published in 1782 and 1778.SIZE: The printed area including titles is approximately 35 x 26 cm (13.75 x 10.25 inches) plus margins with a blank back (medium). ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Drawn and etched by James Gillray. James Gillray (13 August 1756 – 1 June 1815) was a British caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires, mainly published between 1792 and 1810. Many of his works are held at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Gillray has been called "the father of the political cartoon", with his works satirizing George III, Napoleon, prime ministers and generals. Regarded as being one of the two most influential cartoonists, the other being William Hogarth, Gillray's wit and humour, knowledge of life, fertility of resource, keen sense of the ludicrous, and beauty of execution, at once gave him the first place among caricaturists. In his caricatures Gillray was attacking the social follies of the time with scathing satire, and nothing escapes his notice. He is honourably distinguished in the history of caricature by the fact that his sketches are real works of art. PROVENANCE: In 1849/1851 Henry George Bohn put out an edition, from the original plates in a handsome elephant folio from where this example is taken, the coarser sketches-commonly known as the "Suppressed Plates"-being published in a separate volume.VERSO: There is another view printed on the reverse side. CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not significant unless otherwise stated. I offer a no questions asked return policy. AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic antique print, published at the date stated above. I do not offer reproductions. It is not a modern copy. The term 'original' when applied to a print means that it was printed at the first or original date of publication; it does not imply that the item is unique. RETURNS POLICY: I offer a no questions returns policy. All I ask is that you pay return shipping and mail back to me in original condition. POSTAGE / SHIPPING COSTS: I only charge postage for the first print ordered. There is no additional postage charge if you order more than one print.BACKGROUND INFORMATION: . Please explore my ebay shop for more antique prints. Track Page Views With Auctiva's FREE Counter

Price: 44.99 GBP

Location: Marlow

End Time: 2025-01-24T12:35:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.5 GBP