Fashion before ease;-or,-a good constitution sacrificed, for a fantastick form., James Gillray, 1793

Britannia (left), a buxom young woman, clasps the trunk of a large oak, while paine tugs with both hands at her stay-lace, placing a large foot on her posteriors. He wears blue and buff with a tricolour cockade on his bonnet rouge. From his coat pocket protrudes a pair of scissors and a tape inscribed: 'rights of man'. His face is blotched with drink and his expression is fiercely intent, but he is neatly dressed. Behind him is a thatched cottage inscribed: 'thomas pain, stay-maker from thetford. Paris modes, by express. ' britannia looks over her shoulder at the stay-maker (cf. Bmsat 9240) with an expression of pained reproach. Her shield leans against the tree; her spear is on the ground; across it lies an olive-branch. 2 january 1793 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1793. Dimensions: Height: 345 mm; Width: 250 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Thomas Paine. Collection: British Museum. Fashion before ease;-or,-a good constitution sacrificed, for a fantastick form. (BM 1851,0901.638)