Stratagem better than force

Method Etching with original hand colouring
Artist William Heath
Published Pub by T McLean 26 Haymarket where political & other Caricatuers are daily Publishing. [c. 1830]
Dimensions Image 243 x 355 mm, Sheet 262 x 368 mm
Notes M. Dorothy George describes this caricature in her reference book: 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum' as an old woman and two little sweeps try in vain to move an ass (left) laden with a big bag of soot. One boy tugs at the head, the other puts a thorn branch under the tail, the woman thrashes it furiously with a broom. On the right a costermonger's donkey gallops off, heavily laden with panniers of carrots, &c, and with the costermonger, Irish in type, seated on its hind-quarters; he holds a bunch of carrots, tied to a stick, in front of the animal's nose, and turns to wave his hat with a triumphant grin at the stationary group. On the horizon (right) is the dome of St. Paul's.

William Heath (1795-1840) was a British artist best known for his published engravings including caricatures, political cartoons, and commentary on contemporary life. His early works often dealt with military scenes, but from about 1820 on he focused on satire. Some of his works were published under the pseudonym "Paul Pry".

Thomas McLean (1788-1875) was a British publisher and printseller, active from the early 1820s to his death. He traded initially from a print shop on Haymarket, before moving into lithography at a new premises on St Martin's Lane in the 1840s.

BM Satires 15959
Framing unmounted
Price £180.00
Stock ID 22052

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