'I wouldn't mind him playing the organ if only he knew how to play it'

Identify sitters

by (Arthur Stuart) Michael Cummings ('Cummings')
pen and ink and wash, 1967
11 3/4 in. x 17 5/8 in. (298 mm x 447 mm)
Given by Lady Ruth Marples, 1980
Primary Collection
NPG 5364

Artistback to top

(Arthur Stuart) Michael Cummings ('Cummings') (1919-1997), Cartoonist. Artist or producer of 1 portrait.

Sittersback to top

Sir Edward Dillon Lott du Cann (1924-2017), Conservative politician; Chairman of the Conservative Party. Sitter in 8 portraits. Identify
(Edwin) Duncan Sandys, Baron Duncan-Sandys (1908-1987), Politician; Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sitter in 19 portraits. Identify
Quintin McGarel Hogg, 1st Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone (1907-2001), Lord Chancellor; son of 1st Viscount Hailsham. Sitter in 49 portraits. Identify
Sir Edward Heath (1916-2005), Prime Minister. Sitter in 62 portraits. Identify
Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home, Baron Home of the Hirsel (1903-1995), Prime Minister. Sitter in 36 portraits. Identify
Iain Norman Macleod (1913-1970), Politician; Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sitter in 8 portraits. Identify
(Alfred) Ernest Marples, 1st Baron Marples (1907-1978), Conservative politician; Postmaster General and Minister of Transport. Sitter in 38 portraits. Identify
Reginald Maudling (1917-1979), Politician; Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary. Sitter associated with 17 portraits. Identify
(John) Enoch Powell (1912-1998), Politician, classical scholar, linguist and poet. Sitter in 32 portraits. Identify
(James) Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx (1916-1995), Prime Minister. Sitter in 55 portraits. Identify

This portraitback to top

Harold Wilson (far right), the Labour Prime Minister, enjoys the problems of Edward Heath, Leader of the Opposition, failing to make music with his shadow cabinet. The organ pipes, (left to right), are: Lord Hailsham, Ian MacLeod, Lord Marples, Reginald Maudling, Lord Home, Enoch Powell, Sir Edward du Cann and Lord Duncan-Sandys.

Linked publicationsback to top

Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 725

Portrait setback to top

The Marples cartoons: drawings by various cartoonists, 1960-67

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1967back to top

Current affairs

Harold Wilson decides to devalue the pound by nearly 15% in order to ' break out from the straitjacket' of boom and bust economics. The decision was controversial and prompted Wilson to reassure the public that the 'pound in your pocket' would not be worth any less.

Art and science

The Beatles release Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, with a record sleeve designed by pop artist, Peter Blake. The band's musical experimentation and colourful new look was an example of psychedelic, and the LP is often regarded as one of the first concept albums.

International

Che Guevara is captured and executed in Bolivia. The guerrilla leader and revolutionary icon was hunted down by the CIA and captured and shot by Bolivian Special Forces. He had been leading Bolivian insurgents in an attempt to overthrow the government.

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Howard Kiernan

12 February 2021, 22:42

It seems the person complaining is a Conservative who thinks Heath is not a good organist, and it was easy for people to say this, although an organ scholar, which he had been, would have known not to play the keyboard with feet! The cartoonist is making various political points here, and the complainer looks very like Mrs Thatcher without being named. A lot of people thought Wilson might win another election, but somehow Mr Heath won through for a while.

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