A shield containing a group portrait of various doctors and quacks, including Mrs Mapp, Dr. Joshua Ward and John Taylor. Etching by W. Hogarth, 1736, after himself.

  • Hogarth, William, 1697-1764.
Date:
3 March 1736
Reference:
10756i
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Description

The three named quacks occupy the top of the shield, twelve other 'doctors' are situated in the lower half; most of them have gold canes held up to their noses, one is dipping his finger into a urinal while another holds it. Two pairs of crossed human thigh bones are below the shield

Publication/Creation

[London] : W. Hogarth, 3 March 1736.

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark 26.2 x 17.8 cm

Lettering

The company of undertakers. Et plurima mortis imago. ... There are three lines of footnotes below the lettering Lettering continues: "Beareth sable, an urinal proper, between 12 quack-heads of the second & 12 cane heads or, consultant. On a chief nebuloe, ermine, one compleat doctor issuant, checkie sustaining in his right hand a baton of the second. On his dexter & sinister sides two demi-doctors, issuant of the second, & two cane-heads issuant of the third; the first having one eye conchant, towards the dexter side of the escocheon; the second faced per pale proper & gules, guardent. With this motto. Et plurima mortis imago."

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. III, pt. I, London 1877, no. 2299
R. Paulson, Hogarth's graphic works, 3 ed., London 1989, no. 144

Reference

Wellcome Collection 10756i

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