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The Sick Lion, or the Ungratefull Jack Asses. vide Æsop's fables

April 10, 1809
Not on view
A political satire centered on the scandal surrounding the Duke of York and his mistress Mrs. Clarke (she used her influence to get the duke to give army positions to friends). The duke is portrayed as a lion whose back end is submerged in a pool of water. At left three jack asses kick at him and say: "Now brothers we can kick away. he has no strength left to hurt us, & we have nothing to hope from him so we will work him to an oil"; "Aye Aye I'll be at him Speedily and soon"; and "Hoot mon I'se left off Booing to him now, for he'll never be able to pull me by the lugs after this". The lion replies "To be insulted in my distress by all the Other Beasts of the Forrest I could bear; but to be kicked by Jack Asses— who when I was in Health & Vigor were the most servile of the Creatures-— wounds me to the Soul." The asses are three City Members of Parliament who initially would not vote against the Duke in the Common Council, but then joined the rest of the council and did vote against him. A signpost at right identifies the water as the "Slough of Despond." At right, on a hill there is a group of tents, one flying a flag inscribed "Vanity Fair" near tiny dancing figures. One of these is Mrs. Clarke who flourishes a flag lettered "Places."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Sick Lion, or the Ungratefull Jack Asses. vide Æsop's fables
  • Artist: Isaac Cruikshank (British (born Scotland), Edinburgh 1764–1811 London)
  • Publisher: S. W. Fores (London)
  • Subject: Prince Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany (British, London 1763–1827 London)
  • Subject: Sir Charles Price (British, 1748–1818)
  • Subject: Sir James Shaw (British, 1764–1843)
  • Subject: Sir William Curtis (British, 1752–1829)
  • Date: April 10, 1809
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 10 1/8 × 15 1/16 in. (25.7 × 38.2 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Adele S. Gollin, 1976
  • Object Number: 1976.602.101
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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A Young Man Laughs at a Sleeping Old Man in a Humble Dwelling with Animals
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