The Death of Property Tax!!!

1816

George Cruikshank

Associated Names
George Cruikshank

Artist, British, 1792 - 1878

J. Sidebotham

Publisher, British, active 1802 - 1820s

This is a detailed drawing of a political cartoon depicting a group of individuals battling a multi-headed green monster labeled as "Propertaxus", symbolizing a property tax. Two characters are attacking the monster with a document labeled "Repeal of the Property Tax". A lion labeled "Leo Britannicus" is biting one of the monster's heads, while a woman holding a shield with the Union Jack lies nearby. In the background, figures are retreating towards a cave labeled "Economy", with speech bubbles filling the sky. The cartoon uses exaggerated imagery and labels to critique taxation policy.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving with publisher's hand coloring on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    image: 22.5 × 33.8 cm (8 7/8 × 13 5/16 in.)
    sheet: 26 × 36.1 cm (10 1/4 × 14 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2013.170.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Cohn 1924, no. 1047

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

King of France Louis Philippe d'Orleans, Paris. (Andrew Edmunds, London); purchased 2013 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1924

  • Cohn, Albert M. George Cruikshank; a catalogue raisonné of the work executed during the years 1806-1877. London, 1924: no. 1047.

Inscriptions

lower left in plate; G Cruikshank fec; lower center in plate: The DEATH of the PROPERTY TAX!!! / or 37 Mortal Wounds for Ministers & the Inquisitorial Commissioners !!!!!!!!!; lower right in plate: London Pubd by J Sidebotham / 96 Strand

Wikidata ID

Q77005328

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