The Blood of the Murdered Crying for Vengeance
Artist
James Gillray
(British, 1757 - 1815)
Printer
Hannah Humphrey
(English, 1745 - 1818)
Date1793
Mediumetching and engraving printed in sepia with publisher's watercolor
DimensionsSheet: 13 7/8 x 9 3/4 in. (35.3 x 24.8 cm)
Credit LinePurchased with funds provided by the Humanities Center
CultureBritish
Catalogue raisonnéBM 8304
Object numberPC2021.08
ClassificationsPrint Collection
DescriptionDecapitated head of Louis XVI at the foot of a guillotine, the blood swirling upward forming a thought cloud: "Whither, - O Whither shall my Blood ascend for Justice? - my Throne is seized on, by my Murderers; my Brothers are driven \ into exile; - my unhappy Wife & innocent Infants are shut up in the horrors of a Dungeon; - while Robbers & Assassins are sheathing \ their Daggers in the bowels of my Country! - Ah! ruined, desolated Country! dearest object of my heart! whose misery was to me the \ sharpest pang in death! what will become of thee? - O Britons! vice-gerents of eternal-Justice! arbiters of the world! - look \ down from that height of power to which you are raised, & behold me here! - deprived of Life & of Kingdom, see where \ I lie; full low, festering in my own Blood! - which flies to your august tribunal for Justice! - By your affection for your own \ Wives & Children - rescue mine: - by your love for your Country, by the blessings of that true Liberty which you possess, - by the \ virtues which adorn the British Crown, - by all that is Sacred, & all that is dear to you - revenge the blood of a Monarch most I undeservedly butchered, - and rescue the Kingdom of France, from being the prey of Violence, Usurpation & Cruelty.'Above the design: 'This exact Representation of that Instrument of French refinement in Assassination, the GUILLOTINE is submitted to the Gentlemen of "the Phalanx" - & other well-wishers to the King & Constitution of Great-Britain, ------by their devoted Servants at Command The Assassins of the King of France."
This record has been reviewed by University Galleries staff but may be incomplete or contain errors. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For any inquiries about the information listed, please email galleries@sandiego.edu.
1968
1968
1968
2012
