Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘Exhibition of a Democratic-Transparency, – with its Effect upon Patriotic Feelings:

'Exhibition of a Democratic-Transparency, - with its Effect upon Patriotic Feelings: Representing, the Secret-Committee throwing a Light upon the Dark Sketches of a Revolution found among the Papers of the Jacobin Societies lately apprehended.' Etching and aquatint. 'Pubd. April 15th. 1799. by H. Humphrey 27 St James Street London'. Inscribed below the title in an early nineteenth century hand. The Report of the Secret Committee on persons and societies in England and Ireland engaged in treasonous conspiracy was presented by Dundas on 15 Mar. 1799. Here, members of the Secret Committee are seated around a table examining documents relating to the United Irishmen and other revolutionary societies. A transparency lit by a lamp on the committee table hangs from the ceiling. Four scenes on the transparency show revolutionaries 'Plundering the Bank', 'Assassinating the Parliament', 'Seizing the Crown' and 'Establishing the French Government'. On the floor beneath the transparency are documents reading, 'Names of Traitors now sufferd to remain at large', 'Oath of the Members of the Society of the United Irishmen in London', 'Account of ye Lodge of United Englishmen, & of the Monks of St Ann's Shrine' and 'Proceedings of the London Corresponding Society with a list of all the Members.' To the right of the composition, escaping and in fear of being exposed by the light are members of the Opposition including Fox, Erskine, Norfolk, Tierney, Sheridan, Burdett, Moira and Bedford. 14.75x18 inches.