The tree of Liberty, -with, the Devil tempting John Bull

http://www.britishmuseum.org/collectionimages/AN00137/AN00137720_001_l.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

The tree of Liberty, -with, the Devil tempting John Bull

Description

This print shows Charles James Fox as a twined serpent, slithering round a bare and decayed oak tree. His scaly tail is coiled round the upper branches of the tree and its tip issues from a large bonnet-rouge reading ‘Liberté.’ He holds out a damaged apple inscribed ‘Reform’ and while saying “nice Apple, Johnny! –nice Apple.” The allegorical figure of Britain, John Bull, stands on the left. The pockets of his coat and waistcoat bulge with round golden apples. He pears back at Fox and says “Very nice N’apple indeed!-but my Pokes are all full of Pippins from off t’other Tree: & besides, I hate Medlars, they’re so domn’d rotten! that I’se afraid they’ll gie me the Guts-ach for all their vine looks!”

Creator

James Gillray

Source

The British Museum

Publisher

Hannah Humphrey

Date

Published 23 May 1798 in London

Contributor

The British Museum

Rights

© Trustees of the British Museum

Format

Hand-colored etching
Image: 36.5 x 26.1 cm

Type

Still Image