The king as arthur stands between fox (left) as grimbald and pitt (right) as philidel, turning his back on fox and holding out his hands to pitt. The names are inscribed on scrolls above the figures. 'arthur' wears a crown, a tunic and cloak trimmed with bands of ermine, with cross-gartered boots; he turns his head in profile to the right towards 'philidel', who stands in profile to the left with curiously-shaped wings, one inscribed 'majority', holding a wand in his right hand and wearing a laurel wreath. His cloak, slashed doublet, and hose appear to be intended for elizabethan costume. 'grimbald' stands full-face, clasping his hands, looking with a scowl to the right. His wings droop, one is inscribed 'minority'; horns sprout from his forehead, a barb protrudes from the tip of his fox's brush; his feet are those of a beast of prey. His wrists and ankles are shackled and linked by chains. He wears a tunic made of snake-like scales on which is a demon's mask. A crown inscribed 'asia' has fallen from his head and lies at his feet, together with a trident. Beneath the title is etched: 'victory! victory! vice is in chains,. Victory! victory! virtue reigns, vide king arthur. ' 14th june 1784
etching. Date: 1784. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 347 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. TheTriumph of Virtue (BM 1868,0808.5343)
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