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The Triumph of Bacchus or a Consultation on the Additional Wine Duty!!!, 26 April 1796

 Item — Box: LF104/4 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/4/15

Scope and Contents

By Isaak Cruikshank. Pitt as Bacchus bestrides a large wine-cask, his feet resting on the trestles. He is very thin (with a gouty leg), much caricatured, and has ass's ears; his head is garlanded with a vine-branch, and is turned in profile to the left. In his right hand he holds out a glass of wine, in his left a long pipe whose ashes fall on the head of Dundas (right) seated on an upturned tub and leaning against a large cask. On the left the Duchess of Gordon leans against a butt of Gordon's Entire supported on trestles, on which she rests a knee. The Duchess holds the tap of the barrel whose contents pour into a tub and overflow it. The tap of Pitt's cask is ornamented by a crown, the wine gushes out and overflows a large glass which stands beneath it. The Duchess and Dundas are tipsily drinking to Pitt. Both spill the contents of their glasses, on hers is a ducal coronet. She wears a dress which leaves her breast bare and defines her ample contours; across her shoulder is a tartan plaid. Dundas wears a Scots bonnet and a tartan plaid. He and Pitt have coats of the Windsor uniform (blue with red facings). A scroll from the mouths of the Duchess and Dundas joins above their heads, inscribed: 'Oh what a God is Justice Midas'; she sings: "oh the Tremendous Justice Midas"; he sings: "Who dare oppose wise Justice Midas". (Chorus from O'Hara's burletta 'Midas' (1764). Midas is the stupid, arrogant, and corrupt justice who is changed by Apollo into an ass). Hand-coloured etching. Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 26 April 1796

Conditions Governing Access

Available by appointment in our Reading Room

Extent

1 Item(s)

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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