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A Pair of Broad Bottoms
Satirical Print
1810 (published)
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 | |
Title | A 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". |
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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to describe people of African heritage, specifically the Khoi (or Khoekhoe) people, but, since the 1960s, has become outdated and increasingly is considered offensive.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 |
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Collection | |
Accession number | E.505-1943 |
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Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
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