Rodney Invested, or Admiral Pig on a Cruize
This is one of four prints by Gillray created in the aftermath of Sir George Rodney's decisive victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in the West Indies in the closing months of the war for American independence. The victory was a proud one for the British, especially in the wake of the defeat of Lord Charles Cornwallis and the British land troops at Yorktown. Ironically, Rodney's triumph occurred even as the Tory Administration under Lord North was being replaced by a Whig Ministry under Rockingham, and Rodney himself being recalled, replaced by Admiral Hugh Pigot (Admiral Pig).
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Gillray's print is unusual in being hugely complimentary to its central figure. Rodney is portrayed without satire (indeed made younger than he was) represented in a pose reminiscent of statues of Augustus Caesar. He is flanked on one side by the emblematic image of Britannia, appearing much as she did on halfpenny coins at the time. She urges Rodney on, saying "Go generous gallant Rodney, - go on, pursue, maintain your Country's noble cause." On the other side Neptune, as god of the seas, offers Rodney his trident, saying "Accept my Son the Empire of the Main." At Rodney's feet, the British Lion mauls the French flag as Rodney decimated the French forces, killing 3000 and capturing 5000 more.
Satire is relegated to the background figures. Admiral Pigot was a gambling friend of Charles James Fox, the new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and was rumored to be indebted to Fox for the sum of £17,000. Pigot's appointment was, therefore, seen as a way for Fox to insure that Pigot would be able to repay the debt. In the near background, then, Pigot is shown as a pig in a boat composed entirely of cards with the Knave as its main sail and a dice box and dice as crow's nest and flag. Fox appears in the far background as he often does in prints around this time as a fox. He is holding an IOU for £17,000.
The replacement of Rodney by Pigot was widely regarded as a terrible mistake. The conclusion of the Morning Herald and Daily Advertiser for May 27, 1782 is typical.
The conduct of the ministry on Sir George Rodney's victory, bespeaks such a variety of wretchedness, that it almost places them below the contempt of that brave commander. . . . Even Secretary Fox's badgering abilities failed him, and he was obliged to bear the taunts of Commodore Johnston, the poisoned truths of Mr. Rolle, and the frowning disapprobation of the whole house for that shameful, that unexampled mode of disgrace to Admiral Rodney, which the minister and his noble relation Lord Keppel have adopted and carried into execution. What man of abilities will, after such an act, dare to trust his honor and his fame with so desperate a party-zealed administration.
Sources and Reading
- Commentary from the British Museum on Rodney Invested, or Admiral Pig on a Cruize
- "George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney," Wikipedia
- "Battle of the Saintes," Wikipedia
- "Hugh Pigot (Royal Navy officer, born 1722)," Wikipedia
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