The Cow Caricature of the American Revolution
Name/Title
The Cow Caricature of the American RevolutionEntry/Object ID
VC.59.252 a-bDescription
a. Print: Cow at center being milked by kneeling figure, and having horn sawed off by American Indian, while right horn lies severed on ground: two figures at left, more elegant than others, stand holding bowls above milker; at right, plainly dressed figure, with unhappy expression, wrings hands; at his feet lies a sleeping lion, with a small dog relieving himself upon its back; in right background, on other side of stream, three-masted ship carrying Union Jack and pennant, with "EAGLE" upon counter, lists to starboard, and is obviously aground, while against view of city buildings labelled "PHILADELPHIA," two figures sit slumped at small cabriole-legged table, surrounded by keg and empty bottles. Print not titled; no date; no engraver's or publisher's names. Nine explanatory notes in French: 1) The cow being milked represents the commerce of Great Britain. 2) Congress is represented by the American, who is occupied in removing from the cow her natural force, and her defensive arms, her annoying to him horns, of which one is already on the ground and the other ready to fall. 3) A Hollander, of good humor, profiting from the circumstances, occupies himself in tugging the poor cow. 4&5) Behind the cow are a Frenchman and a Spaniard; the first, with an air of satisfaction, carries away a bowl full of milk; and the second, holding in readiness a smaller bowl, seems to await his share. 6) The English vessel of war, named the Eagle, some distance from Philadelphia, disarmed without cover and without artillery; and the rest of the fleet out of view, no one knows where it has hidden itself. 7) The two brothers, in Philadelphia, sleep, and neglect the fleet and the army. 8) The British lion, profoundly asleep, does not feel the little dog that briskly treads on his back, and appears not to perceive anything. 9) Beside the lion one sees an Englishman in mourning, in an attitude of despair, from the predicament of awakening the lion, to punish all the usurpers of his royal prerogatives, and the properties of his subjects. b. FrameArtwork Details
Medium
Paper, Ink, wood (unspecified), glass, Paper, ink, wood (unspecified), glassCollection
Van Cortlandt Manor Object CollectionMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
UnknownAttribution
MakerDate made
1778Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionTranscription
See descriptionOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
VC.59.252 A-B
VC.59.252a-b