Mutual Accusation

Currently not on view

Mutual Accusation

1774

James Bretherton (British, active 1755–1799) After Henry William Bunbury (British, 1750–1811) Published by James Bretherton (British, active 1755–1799)

While a quack doctor would never refer to himself as a quack, his rival certainly would. Here two quacks argue over the merits of their rival antiscorbutic pills (for the prevention of scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency), one "veritable" and the other "true." For extra effect, their wives, dogs, and cats are fighting too. Both quacks wear full wigs, emulating a practice favored by respectable physicians of the period.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

Mutual Accusation

Date:

1774

Artists:

James Bretherton (British, active 1755–1799) After Henry William Bunbury (British, 1750–1811) Published by James Bretherton (British, active 1755–1799)

Medium:

Hand-colored etching

Dimensions:

Plate: 9 5/16 x 11 7/8 inches (23.7 x 30.2 cm) Sheet: 10 5/16 x 13 3/16 inches (26.2 x 33.5 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

The William H. Helfand Collection, 2004

Accession Number:

2004-99-8

Geography:

Made in England, Europe

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Currently not on view