Comical Caricature William Heath "Monthly Sheet of Caricatures No 62 :H.M.S. Constitution engaging Les Democrats"

Original Hand coloured lithograph by William Heath (1795-1840)

Published London c.1835

A caricature of the Parliamentary reform movement culminating in the Reform Act of 1832, drawn from the side of those who opposed reform, including the Duke of Wellington who was Prime Minister. He is here shown as a Royal Marine nailing the Union flag bearing the legend 'The Constitution' to the mast. The naming of the exploding ship beyond as 'Les Democrats' alludes to the previous French Revolution of 1789, and the arms of the City of London blown off her stern to the City's support for reform.

William Heath (1795-1840) :  A watercolourist and caricaturist,he styled himself as a "Portrait and Military Painter". He was reputed to be ex-captain of the Dragoons but is suspiciously not recorded on their Arms List. His main claim to fame was the production of the first caricature magazine in Europe,The Glasgow Looking Glass, that became The Looking Glass. The height of his popularity was between 1809-1830. His style of humour was replaced by the likes of  Robert Seymour (Dickens Illustrator)and John Doyle (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's father)

Condition= Excellent

Size of image = 24.5 x 35.5cm (9.8 x 14.2 inch)