Den Britsen Leopard tot Reden gebracht. (The British Leopard Brought to Reason.)

Date1780

MediumBlack and white etching

DimensionsOH: 12 1/4" x OW: 15 7/8"; Plate H: 9" x W: 13 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-85

DescriptionThe explanation has been removed from the Colonial Williamsburg impression but the British Museum copy still retains it and identifies the numbered figures as follows: (1) A Dutchman, his pro-English sentiments explained by papers protruding from his pockets that indicate he has London investments, addresses two angry beasts, England (2) the leopard and Holland (3) the lion. The man wants them to make peace in the best interest of all. The leopard is clawing at the lion which, although stunned, rises under the protection of a group led by Catherine the Great of Russia (6) who has encircled her allies (7-10), Sweden, Denmark, Prussia, and a maid holding a liberty hat over the united group. (11) Yorke, the English ambassador, tries to sever the circle but is restrained by the French ambassador (12). Standing just behind the animals, an Englishman (4) holds a trident from which a chain reaches toward Lisbon. Although an ally of Britain, Portugal was about to join the alliance of neutrality. (5) A Dutch merchant holds a paper with abbreviated references to former English territory now in the possession of others.

Above this almost procession-like grouping are three single figures. (13) The king of Spain points downward to the word "Florida," an English possession captured by his troops. (14) In a similar gesture France indicates its takeover of Grenada, St. Vincent, and Dominique, while holding in his right hand the liberty hat over North America (15), who sits on bales of much desired goods that are protected by a cannon muzzle. She holds in one hand arrows representing the thirteen colonies.
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other known copies: Halsey collection at Brown; New York Historical Society.