Theatrical Characters in Ten Plates by William Heath
Print
9/11/1829 (published)
9/11/1829 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Heath took John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, as his subject for the final plate of his ‘Theatrical Characters’ series. Scott was a British barrister and politician, and served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain between 1801 and 1806, and again from 1807 to 1827. Despite a successful career, by the time of Heath’s caricature, Scott was in decline. In 1827, at the age of seventy-six, Eldon finally resigned from the office of chancellor in protest against George Canning’s plans for Catholic Emancipation. Following the Duke of Wellington’s ascension to Prime Minister in 1828, a cabinet was required to be assembled. Although expected to hold some form of important office, Scott was entirely overlooked, at which he was angered. For several years after his resignation, despite arguing that he longed for retirement, Scott showed hopes of coming into office once again. The inscription featured below the image makes reference to Scott being thought of highly during his time, and his keenness to be in office once again.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Theatrical Characters in Ten Plates by William Heath (series title) |
| Materials and techniques | printer's ink, paper, etching |
| Brief description | Caricature of John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, dressed as an elderly woman on stage |
| Physical description | Etched and hand coloured caricature of John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, as an eldery woman on stage, facing to the right in profile, and pointing with his right hand. A purple curtain fills the left of the composition. Speech is inscribed to top of image. Series title is inscribed in border above image, and a description is inscribed in border below image. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Depicted as an old woman, John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, stands in profile to the right, bending forward, and leaning on a stick. Raising his right hand, he points with his forefinger. His old-fashioned attire consists of a cap with lappets, a yellow gown embellished with pink flowers bunched up over a green, quilted petticoat, an apron, elbow-sleeves, and mittens. In profile, Eldon's jutting eyebrow is greatly accentuated. The stage setting features a purple curtain, which fills the left of the composition. |
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Heath took John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, as his subject for the final plate of his ‘Theatrical Characters’ series. Scott was a British barrister and politician, and served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain between 1801 and 1806, and again from 1807 to 1827. Despite a successful career, by the time of Heath’s caricature, Scott was in decline. In 1827, at the age of seventy-six, Eldon finally resigned from the office of chancellor in protest against George Canning’s plans for Catholic Emancipation. Following the Duke of Wellington’s ascension to Prime Minister in 1828, a cabinet was required to be assembled. Although expected to hold some form of important office, Scott was entirely overlooked, at which he was angered. For several years after his resignation, despite arguing that he longed for retirement, Scott showed hopes of coming into office once again. The inscription featured below the image makes reference to Scott being thought of highly during his time, and his keenness to be in office once again. |
| Bibliographic reference | BM Satires 15904 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1233:23-1882 |
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| Record created | June 8, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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