Not currently on display at the V&A

James Gillray : The Suppressed Plates

Print
1791 (first published), ca. 1850 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Two plates from an album containing 45 numbered prints on wove paper, the majority printed two per page, recto only. Numbered 17 and 18 respectively, number 18 depicts a large cracked chamber pot, supported by the legs of Dorothea Jordan, actress, and future mistress to King William IV. The Duke of Clarence has thrust himself into the vessel head first, with only his legs remaining outside a large fissure in the side of the pot. He is wearing striped sailor's trousers, and a naval coat hangs on the wall in the background. Lettered with title, short caption, and the original publisher's name, date, and address.

The second print on the same page is entitled 'Patience on a Monument' and depicts a monument in the form of a pyramid in bas relief against a high stone wall. Lady Cecilia Johnstone is seated in profile on the front of the pyramid. She is gaunt and thin, clutching a torn sheet of paper reading 'Tranquility'. Behind her is a cupid pinching his nose and he is holding a flaming torch. On the ground to the right are bones and two human skulls which gaze towards the sitter. Lettered with an eight line inscription entitled 'Vide St Cecilia's Day', title, and original publisher's name and address.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • James Gillray : The Suppressed Plates (popular title)
  • Lubber's Hole, alias the Crack'd Jordan (assigned by artist)
  • Patience on a Monument (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Print on wove paper
Brief description
Two plates from an album of 40 'suppressed' caricatures featuring sexual, scatalogical and politically outrageous subject matter by James Gillray (1756-1815). Issued mid-19th century.
Physical description
Two plates from an album containing 45 numbered prints on wove paper, the majority printed two per page, recto only. Numbered 17 and 18 respectively, number 18 depicts a large cracked chamber pot, supported by the legs of Dorothea Jordan, actress, and future mistress to King William IV. The Duke of Clarence has thrust himself into the vessel head first, with only his legs remaining outside a large fissure in the side of the pot. He is wearing striped sailor's trousers, and a naval coat hangs on the wall in the background. Lettered with title, short caption, and the original publisher's name, date, and address.

The second print on the same page is entitled 'Patience on a Monument' and depicts a monument in the form of a pyramid in bas relief against a high stone wall. Lady Cecilia Johnstone is seated in profile on the front of the pyramid. She is gaunt and thin, clutching a torn sheet of paper reading 'Tranquility'. Behind her is a cupid pinching his nose and he is holding a flaming torch. On the ground to the right are bones and two human skulls which gaze towards the sitter. Lettered with an eight line inscription entitled 'Vide St Cecilia's Day', title, and original publisher's name and address.
Dimensions
  • Height: 63.5cm
  • Sheet width: 48.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Pubd. Nov1st, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street (Lettered underneath plate 17)
  • Pubd. Sept 19th 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street (Lettered underneath plate 18)
Credit line
Gift from the Ministry of Justice
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
Collection
Accession number
E.685:11-2014

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Record createdOctober 23, 2014
Record URL
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