Proclamation of Peace

William Wells|Anonymous, British, 18th century

October 21, 1783 · Etching · Drawings and Prints

This printed satire responds to treaties that marked the end of the Revolutionary War. Even though fighting came to an end in North America in 1781, it took three more years to negotiate the related international settlement. An official proclamation of peace was made in Britain on October 6, 1783, recorded here on a banner that hangs from the trumpet blown by a winged representation of Peace. Male figures below embody the former combatants–America, France, Spain, Britain and Holland each of whom comments on the situation. Britain would not reach a settlement with Holland until 1784. Two successful British military leaders, Samuel Hood and George Augustus Eliott, are mentioned in the verse in the lower margin. America is characterized as "Miss revolt" who "may yet come to repent of [her] fault."

Artist

William Wells|Anonymous, British, 18th century

Date

October 21, 1783

Medium

Etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883