Paintings, Prints & Drawings — 1788-03-20
The Diamond Eaters, Horrid! Monsters!
Warren Hastings was central to establishing British rule in India. He rose through the ranks of the East India Company to become first Governor-General of Bengal, amassing vast personal wealth along the way. On returning to England, though, he was impeached on charges of bribery and corruption. The resulting trial dragged on for seven years but, in the end, Hastings was acquitted.
In 'The Diamond Eaters', Hastings is shown wearing a jewelled turban. From a bag inscribed 'Indian Plunder', he pours diamonds into the open mouths of King George III, Queen Charlotte, and the demon-bodied Lord Chancellor, Edward Thurlow. The point of the satire is clear enough: greedy British royals and politicians reap the rewards of a corrupt system.
- Category:
- Paintings, Prints & Drawings
- Object ID:
- A8131
- Object name:
- The Diamond Eaters, Horrid! Monsters!
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Omer, J.
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1788-03-20
- Material:
paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 310 mm, W 240 mm (mounted) (overall), H 310 mm, W 240 mm (mounted) (overall), H 285 mm, W 233 mm (unmounted)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.