A wonderfully ornate and detailed satirical etching of the Queen of Hungary, being stripped and taken advantage of by various male heads of State. Engraved by 'Indiana', published in 1742.
Phillip of Spain repudiated her succession and Britain supported it, thus inflaming an already volatile situation between the two warring nations.
It is a satire on the ambitions of European powers ranged against the Queen of Hungary, Maria Theresa; her clothing has been pulled off by her enemies. Frederick the Great lunges across her sofa groping under her shift and saying, ""I must have ye low Countries"; she responds, "what will you leave me nothing", while Cardinal Fleury, crouching to the right, says "let me handle this". The King of Spain, slips out of a door to right, holding Maria Theresa's stays and sceptre, saying, "do as you will now". On the left, the Elector of Bavaria, placing a coronet on his head, holds up a stocking, "I'm for ye Stocking". George II sits to the left of the sofa, ignoring the proceedings, holding a paper saying, "I have signd ye Neutrality" while Robert Walpole, in the shadows behind, says, "damn ye house of Aust[ria]". (credit British Museum website).
Restored in the top left hand corner.
Mounted. Unframed.
Print size: 30cm x 21.5cm
Mount size: 46cm x 38cm