DE ONTWAAKTE LEEUW (The Lion Awakened)

Date1780

MediumBlack and white etching

DimensionsOH: 7 3/4" X OW: 12 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-82

DescriptionThis satire comments on Continental affairs during the Revolutionary period. Unfortunately the explanation of the print has been trimmed from Colonial Williamsburg's impression. If it were present it would read:
(1) The Dutch lion, holding in his paw the seven arrows representative of the United Provinces, displays anger toward the French ambassador (6). (2) The lady wearing an imperial crown represents Catherine the Great of Russia. She holds a ribbon linked to Denmark (13), Sweden (4), and the Dutch lion to symbolize the recently signed treaty of alliance. (5) Realizing that the lion is still alert, the Jesuit knows that hopes for restoration of Catholicism to Holland are slight. (6) The frightened French ambassador decides not to harass the lion further. (7) The English ambassador is in a rage over Holland's refusal to honor past alliances but is chided by (8) the Dutch king, William V, for arbitrary British actions that have caused all the misfortunes. (9) Spain explains to France that Holland's new alliance offers them little help. (10) The cart transporting the "Whore of Babylon" (an often used symbol for the Catholic Church) is in retreat and predicts defeat for the attempts to restore Catholicism to Holland.
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other known copies: Halsey collection at Brown; New York Historical Society (complete with dutch explanation).