Allegory on Oliver Cromwell

Crispijn van de Passe (II) (mentioned on object), 1652

Oliver Cromwell, the victor in the English Civil War, is shown as a tyrant – oppressing the French, Dutch, Irish and Scots. He is mocked for his love of money: he is being crowned by a mythological winged beast (a griffon), which conveniently produces gold coins from its backside, a detail that is disingenuous, to say the least, since who would not be pleased to possess such a pet?

  • Artwork typeprint, cartoon
  • Object numberRP-P-OB-81.745
  • Dimensionsheight 399 mm x width 265 mm
  • Physical characteristicsgravure met tekst in boekdruk