A fearful woman (Britannia) is encouraged by three British politicians to resist the invading fleet of France. Coloured etching by J. Gillray after J. Sneyd, 1803.
- Sneyd, John
- Date
- 14 March 1803
- Reference
- 12191i
- Pictures
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About this work
Description
The fainting Britannia is fortified by "doctors and ministers" represented by Charles Jenkinson (Baron Hawkesbury, subsequently Earl of Liverpool) and Henry Addington (subsequently Viscount Sidmouth): Jenkinson wears a fur-lined robe, while Addington, as a doctor in the robes of the Royal College of Physicians, holds smelling salts ("Gunpowder") to her nose. Sheridan, as a quack doctor's assistant ("Sherry Andrew", play on "Merry Andrew"), holds a club and a shield in the form of the head of the Medusa against Napoleon and a French invasion force crossing the English Channel. Fox is shown behind them. The characters speak as if playing roles in a Shakespearian tragedy
Publication/Creation
Physical description
Contributors
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References note
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Reference
Type/Technique
Languages
- English
Subjects
- Syncope (Pathology)
- Physicians
- Medusa (Greek mythology)
- CostumeHistory19th century
- Great BritainForeign relationsFrance.
- Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
- Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
- Jenkinson, Charles, 1727-1808
- Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844
- Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
- Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Hamlet
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Location Status Access Closed stores