The Competitors, William Dent, 1788

The prince of wales and pitt compete for the crown which lies on the ground (right). Both lean towards it, but the sturdy prince has seized pitt (who is grotesquely thin) round the waist, and is about to trip him up. The prince's right foot treads on a bag from which a squalling cat labelled '[ki]ng william fourth [pitt]' is escaping. Pitt's left foot is on the prince of wales's feathers which have the motto 'i command' in place of 'ich dien'. A scroll floats from pitt inscribed 'treason, treason, treason'. At the back of the prince's head and facing pitt is part of the profile of fox, almost concealed; from it floats a similar scroll: 'reason, reason, reason'. (cf. Bmsat 7391. ) the prince says, "my right------no scare-crow shall master me. " 12 december 1788 etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 197 mm; Width: 274 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Competitors (BM 1868,0808.5797)