THE PRESENT STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Date1779
Publisher
William Humphrey
Engraver
J. Phillips
OriginEngland, London
MediumBlack and white line engraving
DimensionsOH: 10 1/2" x OW: 15 1/2"; Plate H: 9 7/8" x W: 15 1/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1960-73
DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "THE PRESENT STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN./ Pub'd by W. Humphrey N.o 227 Strand/ J. Phillips Fecit"Standing half-asleep, John Bull, representing Great Britain, holds a pole with a liberty cap that Indian America is stealing. A Dutchman is robbing John Bull of his purse, symbolic of the trade Holland had gained while England was embroiled in wars. A Frenchman rushes toward Bull from the other side but is halted by a figure in Scottish attire. England was actively recruiting troops in Scotland at the time. However, the Scottish were reluctant to participate in the war, and are seldom pictured defending England.
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other Known copies: Halsey collection at Brown.
April 1, 1783
May 15, 1780
February 16, 1782
1655-1656
January 4, 1780
March 7, 1757
February 12, 1780
May 10, 1782
