Fox (right), a hairy french ruffian, lunges fiercely forward, to aim a pistol inscribed 'la mort' point-blank at a target symbolizing the british constitution (see bmsat 8287, &c). In his left hand he holds behind him a dagger, its blade inscribed 'fraternite'. He is coatless and wears a french cocked hat inscribed 'liberte', with a tricolour cockade. A miniature bonnet-rouge inscribed 'egalite' hangs from the lapel of his waistcoat. From one pocket hangs a paper: '2 7bre certificat de civisme'; from another: 'delenda. Carth[ago]'. His shirt-sleeves are rolled, the right sleeve in tatters, his breeches torn and unbuttoned at the knee, his stockings hang in festoons round his ankles. The target hangs by a ribbon from the gnarled branch of an old oak (left), the bull's-eye is the crown, the inner ring is inscribed 'lords', the outer 'commons'. There is a landscape background. After the title: 'this print copied from the french original, is dedicated to the london corresponding society. ' 24 november 1797
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 265 mm; Width: 362 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. Le coup de maitre.- (BM J,3.98)
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