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:
1736
Reference:
544396i
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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

1736

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark 26 x 17.4 cm

Lettering

The company of undertakers. Et plurima mortis imago.[on a banderole] Invented by W. Hogarth 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 nebulæ, 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."

Edition

Copy of State I.

References note

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

Reference

Wellcome Collection 544396i

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