Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9524
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Caricature of Gilbert Burnet
Date
ca.1680
Sitter
Gilbert Burnet (1643 - 1715, British) , Theologian
Object type
Image reference
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 281mm
width (print): 206mm
width (print): 206mm
Subject
Description
Satirical portrait of a clergyman half-dressed as an Anglican, half as a puritan and standing at a pulpit and tub. On a table to the left as viewed, Roman Catholic accoutrements spill out of a bag near an hourglass. The Book of Common Prayer lies open before the pulpit.
Inscribed in verse:
“A true blew Priest a Lincey Woolsey Brother –
One Legg a Pulpitt holds a Tubb the other
An Orthodox, grave, moderate, Presbyterian
Half Suplice, Cloake half Priest half Puritan,
Made up of all these halfes hee cannot Pass,
For any thing intirely, but an Ass.
Inscribed below in pencil “1663” and “Bp. Burnet”.
This print sometimes titled “A Trimmer” has been suggested as a possible portrait of Burnet. .
Gilbert Burnet was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663.
Inscribed in verse:
“A true blew Priest a Lincey Woolsey Brother –
One Legg a Pulpitt holds a Tubb the other
An Orthodox, grave, moderate, Presbyterian
Half Suplice, Cloake half Priest half Puritan,
Made up of all these halfes hee cannot Pass,
For any thing intirely, but an Ass.
Inscribed below in pencil “1663” and “Bp. Burnet”.
This print sometimes titled “A Trimmer” has been suggested as a possible portrait of Burnet. .
Gilbert Burnet was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663.
Object history
Noted in Catalogue of the prints in the possession of the Royal Society, by Henry George Plimmer FRS (1856-1918), manuscript, p.6. J.P.Gassiot Collection, purchased 1878.
Associated place