William HollandAn early 19th C. satirical etching of John Bull kneeling before William Pitt, 1802

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This is an early 19th century hand-colored satirical caricature etching entitled "John Bull and his favourite statue of bronze!!", published … Read more This is an early 19th century hand-colored satirical caricature etching entitled "John Bull and his favourite statue of bronze!!", published and possibly engraved in London in 1802 by William Holland (1757-1815). It depicts John Bull (symbolizing the English people) kneeling in profile before William Pitt, who was prime minister of England at the time, and for whom the American city of Pittsburgh was named. Pitt is standing, pretending to be a statue. A rectangular pedestal beneath Pitt is inscribed: "Erected by Voluntary Subscription!" Pitt's body seems elongated, reminding that this a caricature. He is standing, looking to the left, his aristocratic nose held high in apparent arrogance and his hands are deep in his pockets, with his hat under his right arm. John Bull, is dressed simply for the time. He is on in his knees in a gesture of supplication, as if in prayer or begging for some action from a deity. He is holding his hat in both hands, looking up at Pitt. Trees and bushes are seen in the background.

A caption showing John Bull's words in the upper left ironically reads: "O Wonderful Man! - how I revere thy sublime resemblance. - what obligations I am under to thee! what happy times thou hast brought about! Bread for nothing! Beef 3d per pound! Porter 3d per pot! a Goose 2 shillings! and a fat Turkey 3s.6d!! - whit every thing else cheap in proportion! - besides the wonderful decrease of Taxes!! - O Dear - O Dear I hardly know how to express myself, I feel so enraptured. - O that fine brass countenance how it shines with conscious Integrity!"

The engraving is presented in a gold-colored wood frame and a tan-colored mat, with curved upper corners. The frame measures 18" high, 13.13" wide and 0.5" deep. The framing and mounting utilizes acid-free archival materials and it is glazed with UV conservation clear glass. There are a few faint areas of discoloration and spotting and an apparent short barely visible crease in the lower right corner of the inscription area. The print is otherwise in very good condition.

William Holland was printmaker as well as a prominent dealer of satirical prints in London in late 18th and early 19th century. He carried works by the best known satirists of the time: Gillray, Rowlandson, Newton and Woodward, as well as his own creations. Holland along with the other prominent print-sellers of the time, Hannah Humphrey and Samuel Fores, were responsible for promoting the golden age of British caricature works. Holland was born in 1757. He began selling prints, pamphlets and music in the early 1780's and continued for around thirty years. He was a political radical during his early years, serving a twelve month prison sentence for distributing the works of Thomas Paine in 1793 and also being brought before a civil court on a charge of libeling the governors of Gloucester jail over their treatment of the inmates there. He expanded his gallery when he moved to 50 Oxford Street in London, where this print was published. The backroom of the new shop was transformed into a gallery for the latest satirical and caricature creations, which he called the “Laughing Lounge”. See less