Caption
A word of comfort, Dent, William, active 1783-1793, en sanguine engraving 1790, a British satire on the efforts of Charles James Fox to get the Test and Corporation Acts repealed. Joseph Priestley, preaching, speaks for the concerns of the clergy, stating their opposition to Reynard and Associates (Fox, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, John Townshend, and another man, possibly William Windham). Fox asks, Pray, Doctor is there such a thing as a Devil? to which Priestley responds with a resounding no. The Devil, standing amid flames, is about to skewer Priestley. The Test and Corporation Acts required membership in the Church of England, as well as other religious and civil obligations, for anyone seeking public office. In a touch of irony, the Prince of Wales (George IV) and Maria Fitzherbert, joined in an illegal marriage, sit in a pew on Priestley's left, facing the viewer. That Priestley's NO is printed in the same type as the title A WORD OF COMFORT suggests a play on words.
Date
1790
Credit line
Photo12/Liszt Collection/Quint Lox Limited
Reference
LZT16A00_260
License type
Rights managed
Available size
55,1Mb (5,2Mb) / 16,7in x 12,8in / 5000 x 3854 (300dpi)