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A Pair of Broad Bottoms

Satirical Print
1810 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Hand-coloured engraving. Caricature of Richard Brinsley Sheridan comparing the equally exaggerated buttocks of Sarah Baartman and Lord Grenville. Sarah Baartman is shown nude except for a beaded belt and headband and bands on her arms and legs, smoking a pipe and wearing a pair of shoes. Grenville says: "Well I never expected Broad Bottoms from Africa! but one should never dispair! Mind Sherry dont let your Fireey Nose touch the Venus for if theres any Conbustibls about her we shall be Blown Up!!!". Sheridan answers: "I shall be Carefull your Lordship! but such a Spanker it beats your Lordships hollow".


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA Pair of Broad Bottoms (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
hand-coloured engraving
Brief description
William Heath. 'A Pair of Broad Bottoms'. Caricature of Lord Grenville, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and Sarah Baartman. Published London, 1810.
Physical description
Hand-coloured engraving. Caricature of Richard Brinsley Sheridan comparing the equally exaggerated buttocks of Sarah Baartman and Lord Grenville. Sarah Baartman is shown nude except for a beaded belt and headband and bands on her arms and legs, smoking a pipe and wearing a pair of shoes. Grenville says: "Well I never expected Broad Bottoms from Africa! but one should never dispair! Mind Sherry dont let your Fireey Nose touch the Venus for if theres any Conbustibls about her we shall be Blown Up!!!". Sheridan answers: "I shall be Carefull your Lordship! but such a Spanker it beats your Lordships hollow".
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.375in
  • Width: 8.75in
Object history
NB The term 'Hottentot' was used historically to describe people of African heritage, specifically the Khoi (or Khoekhoe) people, but, since the 1960s, has become outdated and increasingly is considered offensive. This term is repeated here in its original historical context.

Sarah Baartman (before 1790-d. 1815) (also known as Saartje Bartman(n) or Baartmen) was a Khoikhoi woman who was exhibited as a freak-show attraction in Europe in the early 1810s under the title the "Hottentot Venus".
Bibliographic references
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1943, London: HMSO, 1956.
  • British Museum, Catalogue of Politicial and Personal Satires [c.1320-1832] London, 1870-1954.
Collection
Accession number
E.505-1943

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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