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The Woolsack.

Print
8/04/1830 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Set within the House of Lords, three figures are depicted seated upon the Woolsack, from which the caricature takes its title. As is illustrated, the Woolsack is a large, wool-filled seat covered with red cloth, and is the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords. Until 2006, the presiding officer would have been the Lord Chancellor.
The central figure is John Copley, 1st Baron Lyndhurst, who held the title of Lord Chancellor three times during his career. Depicted wearing a wig and gown, Lyndhurst can be recognised as the presiding officer of the House of Lords during this particular debate.
Seated to the left is Ernest Augustus I of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, wearing a green overcoat, and holding his hat in his left hand. Presented in profile, the Duke of Cumberland leans in rather dramatically, with his right leg outstretched to balance himself. His glare is set upon the plump man seated to the right, his brother, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex. The Duke of Sussex, holding a cane between his legs with his left hand, grins back at his seemingly frustrated brother.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Woolsack. (published title)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph with hand colouring
Brief description
Caricature depicting three men seated in the House of Lords.
Physical description
Caricature of three men seated side by side on a red covered bench. The background is plain with a pale wash of blue, and the image is set within a box. Title, inscription, and publication line below image.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 219mm
  • Image width: 293mm
  • Sheet height: 301mm
  • Sheet width: 442mm
Content description
A scene from the House of Lords, with John Copley, 1st Baron Lyndhurst, sat in the middle. To the left is Ernest Augustus I of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, and to the right, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex. The three men sit upon the Woolsack, the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords. As is depicted, the Woolsack is a large, wool-stuffed seat covered in red cloth.
Style
Production typeUnlimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
Title below image: 'The Woolsack.' Inscription below title: 'A Sketch From Nature.' Publication line below inscription: 'Pubd. by Thomas McLean 26 Haymarket, April 8th 1830.' 'HB' to left side of seat. ('HB' are the initials that John Doyle used to sign his work.)
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Set within the House of Lords, three figures are depicted seated upon the Woolsack, from which the caricature takes its title. As is illustrated, the Woolsack is a large, wool-filled seat covered with red cloth, and is the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords. Until 2006, the presiding officer would have been the Lord Chancellor.
The central figure is John Copley, 1st Baron Lyndhurst, who held the title of Lord Chancellor three times during his career. Depicted wearing a wig and gown, Lyndhurst can be recognised as the presiding officer of the House of Lords during this particular debate.
Seated to the left is Ernest Augustus I of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, wearing a green overcoat, and holding his hat in his left hand. Presented in profile, the Duke of Cumberland leans in rather dramatically, with his right leg outstretched to balance himself. His glare is set upon the plump man seated to the right, his brother, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex. The Duke of Sussex, holding a cane between his legs with his left hand, grins back at his seemingly frustrated brother.
Bibliographic reference
BM Satires 16096
Collection
Accession number
1233:165-1882

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Record createdJune 8, 2009
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