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John Bull Listening to the Quarrels of State Affairs

May 1, 1803
Not on view
Napoleon stands at right dictating terms to Addington, who is on the extreme right. He puts a forefinger on the palm of his hand to enforce his words, saying: "And so, - if you do so, I do so!" Addington, with a distressed stare, exclaims "Oh! - Oh!!" At left, John Bull, hands on knees, gapes at the pair, saying, "I declare my very wig, stands an end with Curiosity!! What can they be quareling about? O that I could but be let into the secret if I ax our gentleman concerning it, tis ten to one if he tells me the right story."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: John Bull Listening to the Quarrels of State Affairs
  • Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
  • Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London (British, active 1794–1832)
  • Subject: Napoléon Bonaparte (French, Ajaccio 1769–1821 St. Helena)
  • Subject: Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (British, Holborn 1757–1844 London)
  • Date: May 1, 1803
  • Medium: Etching
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 9 3/16 × 11 9/16 in. (23.4 × 29.4 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.533.898
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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