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A Tailor Bewitched
Brush drawing in grey wash with watercolour, 33.3 x 47.4 cm, by George Moutard Woodward, 1790
The British Museum, London
 

A tailor who cheats his customers is ridiculed by being depicted surrounded by supernatural beings performing a magical ritual. His deceit, symbolised by 'cabbage-craft' and ill-gotten wealth, leads to his downfall as he becomes trapped by the consequences of his dishonesty. The image uses witchcraft as a satirical metaphor for unethical business practices and the tailor’s inevitable punishment.
 

‘Old Belzebub of horrid note.
Employ’d a Taylor for a coat
Who prone to cabbage-craft and pelf
By art o’erreach’d Old Nick himself.
For which a powerful magician
Soon brought poor Buckram to contrition
With Magic spells encircled round
Behold him fix’d upon the ground.’