War of Posts

May 1, 1782

Not on view

This satire relates to British political factions during the Revolutionary War, and shows Pitt, Keppel, Conway, Burke, Fox, Richmond at left, urging the Devil, at right, to push Sandwich, Amherst, North, Mansfield into the flames of Hell. Behind this drama, the constitution is symbolized by a domed building, with a man in the stocks being given thirteen lashes (a reference to the American colonies), and three figures on a gibbet identified as "an English secretary" (i.e. minister) "an Irish secretary" and "a Scotch secretary."

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Catalogue Raisonné

References

Title: War of Posts
Artist: Thomas Colley (British, active 1778–83)
Publisher: William Richardson (British, active 1778–1812)
Published in: London
Date: May 1, 1782
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: plate: 9 5/8 x 13 13/16 in. (24.4 x 35.1 cm)
sheet: 11 x 16 15/16 in. (28 x 43 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
Object Number: 83.2.1036
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

The Reconciliation Between Britannia and Her Daughter America, Thomas Colley British, Etching — The Reconciliation Between Britannia and Her Daughter America
Multiple artists/makers
May 11, 1782

The cabinet-maker and upholsterer's drawing-book, in three parts, Thomas Sheraton British — The cabinet-maker and upholsterer's drawing-book, in three parts
Author Thomas Sheraton
Publisher Thomas Sheraton
Printer Thomas Bensley
1793–94

Scrapbook of Drawings and Prints, Gideon Saint British, Pen and ink, engraving and etching — Scrapbook of Drawings and Prints
Gideon Saint
ca. 1760

The cabinet-makers' London book of prices, and designs of cabinet work, calculated for the convenience of cabinet makers in general, whereby the price of executing any piece of work may be easily found, London Society of Cabinet Makers — The cabinet-makers' London book of prices, and designs of cabinet work, calculated for the convenience of cabinet makers in general, whereby the price of executing any piece of work may be easily found
Author London Society of Cabinet Makers
Publisher London Society of Cabinet Makers
Printer W. Brown and A. O'Neil
1793

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.