Vox populi, vox dei, Isaac Cruikshank, circa 1784

Fox stands, full-face, smiling; he holds a stout staff of liberty surmounted by a phrygian cap. His left hand, holding a laurel branch, rests on his hip. On his left stands the duchess of devonshire (right), turning her head in profile to the right and holding out on her left arm a 'shield of virtue', against the arrows of 'malice' and 'envy'; other arrows fall to the ground, broken by their impact with the shield, inscribed 'woman hater' and 'morning post'. In her hat are the usual fox's brush and ostrich plumes. A star-shaped halo is lightly sketched behind her head. Sir cecil wray (left) walks off in profile to the left, bending beneath a heavy burden and supported on his stick. The burden consists of three bundles, 'deceit', 'ingratitude', and 'per[ju]ry', attached to his shoulders by a band inscribed 'cecil w-----y'. Black clouds above his head emit forked lightning. Over his head are the words 'i acknowledge my transgressions, and my sins are ever before me'. Over fox's head flies a cherub holding out a laurel wreath; he blows a trumpet directed towards the duchess, from which issues the word 'victory'. After the title is etched 'dedicated to the ladies who so conspicuously exerted themselves in the cause of freedom'. 23 may 1784 etching. Date: circa 1784. Dimensions: Height: 237 mm; Width: 338 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Collection: British Museum. Vox populi, vox dei (BM 1868,0808.5316)