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The freemen triumphant or The mare foal'd of her folly
(1789)
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1944
- Gallery location
- 17th & 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Edinburgh-born artist Isaac Cruikshank moved to London at the age of twenty and soon became known for his sharp social and political satires. In The freemen triumphant or The mare foal’d of her folly, Cruikshank targets members of the Rochester Corporation, all of whom had recently been tried for embezzlement of city funds at an assize court in Maidstone. Depicted in a humiliating procession back to Rochester, the officials are portrayed with asses’ heads to underscore their foolishness. Led by the ‘Mare’ – Mayor Matthews – the group is pursued by outraged townspeople.
Artwork Details
printed in ink l.c.l.-l.c.r.: the FREEMAN triumphant, or the MARE foal'd of here FOLLY,
printed in ink (in image) u.l.-l.r.: (lines of speech, text on signs and text labelling each figure)
Felton Bequest, 1944
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Level 2, NGV International