A pack of hounds and a huntsman chasing a fox which has seized a goose. Etching, 1756.

  • Steady, Tom.
Date:
[1756]
Reference:
579990i
  • Pictures

About this work

Description

The wigged fox is a personification of Henry Fox, then Secretary of State. The goose that he runs away with bears the head of the Duke of Newcastle who cries 'Oh! Lord dont let me fall' to which Fox replies 'Il drop him in a ditch; presently by G-d'. The pack of dogs is labelled 'staunch breed'. The huntsman entering the chase far left says 'Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil our vines & tender grapes vide; Solomons opinion'. Fox was appointed Secretary of State in 1755. He suspected the Duke of Newcastle, first Lord of the Treasury, for holding him responsible for the loss of Minorca in 1756. This print precedes Fox's resignation from Newcastle's administration in October 1756

Publication/Creation

[Place of publication not identified] (At the sign of the heart of oak in Antigallican Sqre) : published by the old fox hunter, Tom Steady, [1756]

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark 20.5 x 33 cm

Contributors

Lettering

The fox & goose or the true breed in full cry. Bears the number 29 in ink top right. The name 'Tom Steady' is probably fictitious

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, Vol. III, London 1978, no. 3367

Reference

Wellcome Collection 579990i

Type/Technique

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
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