Volltext: A history of caricature and grotesque in literature and art

4.46 Hqylory of C aricarure and 
Grotqfque 
which, a few years later, came into exiftence under the title of the Royal 
I Academy, and Hogarth proclaimed fo loud an oppofition to this project, 
that the old cry was raifed anew, that he was jealous and envious of all 
his profefiion, and that he fought to [land alone as fuperior to them all. 
It was the fignal for a new onflaught of caricatures upon himfelf and his 
line of beauty. Hitherto his affailants had been found chiefly among the 
artitts, but the time was now approaching when he was dettined to thrult 
himfelf into the midfl of a political ftrnggle, where the attacks of a new 
clafs of enemies carried with them a more bitter fling. 
George II. died on the 17th of October, I760, and his grandfon 
fucceeded him to the throne as George III. It appears evident that 
before this time Hogarth had gained the favour of lord Bute, who, by his 
interett with the princefs of Wales, was all-powerful in the houfehold of 
the young prince. The painter had hitherto kept tolerably clear of politics 
in his prints, but now, unluckily for himfelf, he fuddenly rulhed into the 
 arena of political caricature. It was generally faid that Hogarth's object 
was, by difplaying his zeal in the caufe of his patron, lord Bute, to obtain 
an increafe in his penfion; and he acknowledges himfelf that his object 
was gain. "This," he fays, "being a period when war abroad and 
contention at home engroffed every one's mind, prints were thrown into 
the background; and the ftagnation rendered it neceffary that I thould 
do fome timed thing [the italics are Hogarth's] to recover my loft time, 
and {top a gap in my income." Accordingly he determined to attack 
the great minifler, Pitt, who had then recently been compelled to refign 
his otlice, and had gone over to the oppofition. It is faid that John 
YVilkes, who had previouily been Hogarth's friend, having been privately 
 informed of his delign, went to the painter, expoitulated with him, and, 
 as he continued obltinate, threatened him with retaliation. In Sep- 
 tember, x762, appeared the print entitled " The Times, No. I," indicating 
that it was to be followed by a fecoud caricature. The principal features 
of the pifture are thefe: Europe is repretented in flames, which are 
communicating to Great Britain, but lord Bute, with foldiers and failors, 
and the atiiltance of Highlanders, is labouring to extinguiih them, while 
 Pitt is blowing the tire, and the duke of Newcatile brings a barrowful of 
 Illunilor 
 
	        
Waiting...

Nutzerhinweis

Sehr geehrte Benutzerin, sehr geehrter Benutzer,

aufgrund der aktuellen Entwicklungen in der Webtechnologie, die im Goobi viewer verwendet wird, unterstützt die Software den von Ihnen verwendeten Browser nicht mehr.

Bitte benutzen Sie einen der folgenden Browser, um diese Seite korrekt darstellen zu können.

Vielen Dank für Ihr Verständnis.