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Rats in the Barn, or John Bulls Famous Old Dog Billy Astonishing the Varment

Print
3/1829 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Heath’s caricature, as with many of his works during this period, takes Catholic emancipation as its underlying theme, particularly focusing on the disputes between John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, and parliamentary figures Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, and Sir Robert Peel. Under pressure, the Duke of Wellington, then Prime Minister, and Sir Robert Peel inevitably had to change their stance on Catholic emancipation, which in turn had allowed for the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 to be passed. John Scott, who had been in the office of Lord Chancellor until his resignation in 1827, had continuously opposed Catholic emancipation.
In this particular example of Heath’s ongoing interest with the debates surrounding Catholic emancipation, Scott is depicted in the form of a terrier. Scott, who retains his own head in this bizarre form, attacks a rat, biting viciously into its belly. The rat, which has Wellington’s head, appears horrified by the event. Above Scott and Wellington is another rat, falling, likely from previously being flung in the air by Scott. The rat also features a human head, and although the features are difficult to distinguish, it is probable that the rat is intended to represent Peel. Scurrying away from the attack are various other rats, all of which feature human heads, and are likely intended to represent other politicians of the time. This most likely makes reference to parliament giving in to the pressures regarding Catholic emancipation.
Standing to the right of the composition is an obese, and rather grotesque male figure, identified by the title as John Bull, and the owner of the dog, personfies England. The yokel, wearing a smock, leans forwards as he claps his hands, cheering on the dog attack. In the upper left corner of the composition, the man’s speech is inscribed within a bubble, reinforcing his support for Scott. Although the man stands before an open barn door, the door appears as though it is not part of any structure. The open doorway, however, does offer a view into the background, with a leaning tower of a village church being framed. It is likely that the church, in its worn form, represents concerns regarding Catholic emancipation.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRats in the Barn, or John Bulls Famous Old Dog Billy Astonishing the Varment (published title)
Materials and techniques
printer's ink, paper, etching
Brief description
Etched caricature, with hand colouring, of Robert Peel in the form of a terrier, biting into Wellington in the form of a rat. A grotesque man stands to the right, cheering on his dog.
Physical description
Etched cariacture, with hand colouring, featuring a dog, with a human head, in the centre of the composition. The dog bites into a rat, also with a human head, whilst other rats flee, all of which also have human heads. To the right of the composition, a man stands before an open barn door, with a church spire visible in the background. The image is set within a yellow and grey border.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 220mm
  • Image width: 334mm
  • Plate height: 260mm
  • Plate width: 371mm
  • Sheet height: 296mm
  • Sheet width: 437mm
Content description
Central to the compositon is John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, in the form of a terrier, visciously biting into the Duke of Wellington in the form of a rat. Another rat, likely with the head of Sir Robert Peel, has been flung into the air. Various other rats, all with human heads, scamper away, running through heaps of unthrashed corn. Standing to the right of the composition is John Bull, identified through the title. As the owner of the dog, he encourages the viscious attack, noted by the inscription of speech in the upper left corner. The grotesque John Bull stands before an open barn door. Through the doorway, a leaning village church spire is depicted.
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • Rats in the Barn, or John Bulls Famous Old Dod Billy Astonishing the Varment (Title inscribed below image within border)
  • Pub by T. McLean 26 Haymarket Political & Other Caricatures Daily Pub (Publication line inscribed in lower right corner of border)
  • Thats right old Boy give it 'em what they thought you had lost all your Teeth, give it 'em Scott & lot. (Speech from the man inscribed in upper left corner of image)
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Subjects depicted
Summary
Heath’s caricature, as with many of his works during this period, takes Catholic emancipation as its underlying theme, particularly focusing on the disputes between John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, and parliamentary figures Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, and Sir Robert Peel. Under pressure, the Duke of Wellington, then Prime Minister, and Sir Robert Peel inevitably had to change their stance on Catholic emancipation, which in turn had allowed for the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 to be passed. John Scott, who had been in the office of Lord Chancellor until his resignation in 1827, had continuously opposed Catholic emancipation.
In this particular example of Heath’s ongoing interest with the debates surrounding Catholic emancipation, Scott is depicted in the form of a terrier. Scott, who retains his own head in this bizarre form, attacks a rat, biting viciously into its belly. The rat, which has Wellington’s head, appears horrified by the event. Above Scott and Wellington is another rat, falling, likely from previously being flung in the air by Scott. The rat also features a human head, and although the features are difficult to distinguish, it is probable that the rat is intended to represent Peel. Scurrying away from the attack are various other rats, all of which feature human heads, and are likely intended to represent other politicians of the time. This most likely makes reference to parliament giving in to the pressures regarding Catholic emancipation.
Standing to the right of the composition is an obese, and rather grotesque male figure, identified by the title as John Bull, and the owner of the dog, personfies England. The yokel, wearing a smock, leans forwards as he claps his hands, cheering on the dog attack. In the upper left corner of the composition, the man’s speech is inscribed within a bubble, reinforcing his support for Scott. Although the man stands before an open barn door, the door appears as though it is not part of any structure. The open doorway, however, does offer a view into the background, with a leaning tower of a village church being framed. It is likely that the church, in its worn form, represents concerns regarding Catholic emancipation.
Collection
Accession number
1233:52-1882

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Record createdJune 8, 2009
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