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A word of comfort, Dent, William, active 1783-1793, en sanguine engraving 1790, a
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A word of comfort, Dent, William, active 1783-1793, en sanguine engraving 1790, a
A word of comfort, Dent, William, active 1783-1793, en sanguine engraving 1790, a British satire on the efforts of Charles James Fox to get the Test and Corporation Acts repealed. Joseph Priestley, preaching, speaks for the concerns of the clergy, stating their opposition to Reynard and Associates (Fox, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, John Townshend, and another man, possibly William Windham). Fox asks, Pray, Doctor is there such a thing as a Devil? to which Priestley responds with a resounding no. The Devil, standing amid flames, is about to skewer Priestley. The Test and Corporation Acts required membership in the Church of England, as well as other religious and civil obligations, for anyone seeking public office. In a touch of irony, the Prince of Wales (George IV) and Maria Fitzherbert, joined in an illegal marriage, sit in a pew on Priestleys left, facing the viewer. That Priestleys NO is printed in the same type as the title A WORD OF COMFORT suggests a play on words
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Media ID 12810719
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1790 Acts Asks Associates Charles Civil Clergy Comfort Concerns Corporation Dent Devil Doctor Efforts Facing Flames George James John Joined Joseph Maria Marriage Nostalgia Nostalgic Office Old Fashioned Opposition Play Possibly Pray Preaching Prince Printed Public Religious Reynard Richard Sanguine Satire Seeking Sheridan Speaks Test Thing Title Touch Traditional Type Viewer Wales William Windham Word Words 1783 1793 Brinsley Fitzherbert Illegal Irony Membership Priestley Repealed Required Responds Skewer Stating Suggests Townshend
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The print titled "A Word of Comfort" captures a moment of British satire from 1790, depicting the efforts of Charles James Fox to repeal the Test and Corporation Acts. In this scene, Joseph Priestley, a clergyman representing the concerns of his fellow clergy members, stands before an audience preaching against Reynard and Associates (Fox, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, John Townshend, and possibly William Windham). As Fox questions Priestley about the existence of a Devil, the resolute priest responds with a firm denial. However, in a twist of irony, the Devil himself lurks in flames behind them ready to skewer Priestley. The Test and Corporation Acts were laws that required individuals seeking public office to be members of the Church of England while also imposing other religious and civil obligations. Adding another layer to this satirical image is Prince George IV (later known as George IV) sitting alongside Maria Fitzherbert in an illegal marriage on Priestleys left side facing towards us. Notably intriguing is how Priestleys emphatic "NO" is printed using the same typeface as the title "A Word of Comfort" suggesting wordplay within this artwork. This engraving by William Dent offers viewers both political commentary on Fox's endeavors and subtle humor through its clever use of visual symbolism.
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