print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1935,0522.1.199
- Title
- Object: The Victim
- Description
-
An elderly man seated in an arm-chair, in night-cap and dressing-gown, a crutch by his side, holds by the wrist a young girl, who is being brought to him by a stout woman. The girl holds a handkerchief to her eyes; she is gaily and meretriciously dressed.
A monkey (left) holds a cat; a dog sits on a chair (right); a cat plays with a glove which hangs from the chair. On the wall (right) is a framed picture of a sheep about to be sacrificed before an altar. On the ground are books: on the "Art of Love" (left) stands a bottle of "Viper Wine". A large volume (left) is labelled Rochester, indicating that it contains the works of the rake, Rochester (d. 1680). On it is an open book inscribed,
"This Bud of Beauty, other Years demands,
Nor should be gather'd by such wither'd hands." 1780
Hand-coloured mezzotint
- Production date
- 1780
- Dimensions
-
Height: 353 millimetres
-
Width: 252 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', V, 1935)
This is adapted from a picture by Collet, an engraving after which is BMSat 4184 (1767), where the figures are three quarter length. Among other changes, the costumes have been altered to adapt them to the prevailing fashion.
(Supplementary information)
Sale catalogue listings
Carington Bowles, 1784, p. 117 no. 432, among 'The following 34 new and elegant humorous Prints, are finely executed from the capital Paintings of that eminent Artist the late John Collet, Esq. in the Possession of Carington Bowles. Each print is 10 inches wide and 14 inches deep. When framed and glazed they make a handsome Appearance and Fashionable Furniture, and are always kept ready finished. Price 2s. plain, or finely coloured from the paintings, 3s. each.'; 1790, p. 107 no. 449, same price.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1935
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1935,0522.1.199