Title:
Making Decent!! A hint to the Society for the Suppression of Vice
Creator/Contributor:
George Cruikshank, 1792-1878, British; George Humphrey, London, publisher
Date:
1822
Identifier:
1989.21.458
Format:
Print
Etching with hand coloring
Notes:
A caricature of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), philanthropist and abolitionist, attempting to cover and "make decent" a
colossal, Neoclassical sculpture by Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856). The bronze sculpture of Achilles was placed in Hyde
Park July 1822 and honors the efforts of Arthur Wesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) and his troops in defeating the
French at the battle of Waterloo.
Catalogue Raisonne: Reid 1087; Douglas 1136; Cohn 1713 i/ii; British Museum 14383
Inscription: Recto, in plate below design, anchor emblem [Marryat del, obscured] and "invt. G Cruikk fect" at l.l.; "Pubd
by G Humphrey 27 St James's St London / August 8th 1822" at l.r.
Subject:
caricatures; censorship; urban parks; public art; monuments; sculpture; Achilles