THE RIGHTS OF MAN: or TOMMY PAINE

Date1791

Artist/Maker James Gillray

MediumHand colored etching

DimensionsTrimmed almost to plate: 14" X 9 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-118

DescriptionInscribed: "Pubd 23th May 1791 by H. Humphrey/ No. 18, Old Bond Street"
Lower margin reads: "THE RIGHTS OF MAN:_ or_ TOMMY PAINE, the/ little American Taylor, taking the measure of the CROWN, for a new Pair of/ Revolution Breeches."
Label TextTom Paine, lean and grotesquely caricature, crouches kneeling on one knee, to apply his tape-measure to a gigantic crown standing on the ground. The greater part og this is cut off by the right hand margin of the design. He is dressed as a ragged tailor, a large pair of shears attached to his waist. He wears a cocked hat of a French fashion with a cockade inscribed "Viv la Liberty". His hair is in a long queue. He says, gaping with dismay at the crown, "Fathom and a half! Fathom & a half! Poor Tom!". He continues in this way, "Ah! mercy upon me! thats more by half than my poor Measure will ever be able to reach!- Lord! Lord! I wish I had a bit of the Stay-tape or Buckram which I youst to Cabbage when I was prentice, to lengthen it out; well, well, who could ever have thought it, that I who have served Seven Years as an Apprentice, & afterwards worked Four Years as a Yourney-man to a Master taylor, then followed the business of an Exciseman as much longer, should not be able to take the dimensions of this Bauble?". Above the design is etched: Humbly dedicated to the Jacobine Clubs of France and England!! by Common Sense "These are you Gods, O, Isreal!"