Illustration by Shade, William Dent, 1788

Five persons, in profile to the right, stand in a row arranged left to right and diagonally, the figures diminishing in perspective from the nearest, george iii, who is on the extreme left. They cast shadows which are supposed to indicate their true characters. The king holds his crown in both hands, his shadow holds a box inscribed 'bulse' (see bmsat 6966, &c. ) and his legs are joined to his shoulders, showing that he has no body and is nobody (cf. Bmsat 5570). Next is thurlow, in chancellor's wig and robes, wearing a hat and holding the bag of the great seal. His shadow is that of a short and very obese man holding a money-bag inscribed 'omnis' (cf. Bmsat 7278, &c). The central figure is hastings, in oriental dress, wearing a jewelled turban and holding a sword whose blade is inscribed 'justice'. His shadow is that of a demon holding an axe inscribed 'perversion'. Next is pitt holding a key (cf. Bmsat 6564) to which is attached a label inscribed 'manhood'. His shadow is a little girl holding a rattle labelled 'childhood' (cf. Bmsat 6378). On the extreme right is sydney, holding a pen and a document inscribed 'to secretary of s------'. His shadow is a headless man holding a pen and a paper addressed 'to tom fool' (cf. Bmsat 7153). 23 may 1788 etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 199 mm; Width: 275 mm (trimmed). Medium: paper. Depicted People: George III, King of the United Kingdom. Collection: British Museum. Illustration by Shade (BM 1868,0808.5735)