Fox sits on the ground, contemplating suicide. His hair rises in horror as he listens to words which dart towards him in the guise of flashes of lightning: 'thy country expatriate thee'; 'thy crony's impeach thee' [cf. Bmsat 7861]; 'the wigs forsake thee' [cf. Bmsat 8315]; 'the prince discards thee' [cf. Bmsat 8311]; 'thy friends abjure thee'; 'the people despise thee'; 'all true friends to their king & constitution abhor thee' [cf. Bmsat 8287]. Two messages (left) are surrounded with rays: 'the sans culottes admire thee'; 'the poissards love thee'. In fox's right hand is a dagger, under his left hand is a large bowl of 'poison'. Beside him (left) is a gallows inscribed 'pro patria', from which hangs a noose. 25 march 1793. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1793. Dimensions: Height: 254 mm; ; Width: 350 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. Which way shall I turn me how shall I decide. (BM 1868,0808.6284)
Loading...
