print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1935,0522.12.151
- Title
- Object: The demi-rep Countess of C- alias the Lying Chambermaid, a match for My-Joke-O!!
- Description
-
Louise Demont, wearing a black dress much flounced and pinked, and a black feathered hat, stands full-face at a bar inscribed 'Bar All Bargains' on which she rests her hands; a reticule inscribed 'Trash Bag' hangs from her wrist. She says "—"Je ne me rapelle pas"— (I do not recollect.)" She stands on a 'Green Bag' [see No. 13735], its neck bound by a sealed tape inscribed 'Milan Commission'. On the bag between her feet is a 'Leech' with a head wearing a barrister's wig which stares up at her (see No. 13740). The bag fills a huge 'Po de Chambre' on the front of which is a (naturalistic) view of the 'Lake of Como'.
September 1820
Hand-coloured etching
- Production date
- 1820
- Dimensions
-
Height: 336 millimetres
-
Width: 228 millimetres (cropped)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', X, 1952)
For the 'trial' see No. 13825, &c.; for Demont, No. 13856. She gave voluble evidence, damaging but discredited, on happenings at the Villa d'Este, Lake Como. Under cross-examination she frequently said (like Majocchi) 'I do not recollect' (see No. 13827). She was especially disparaged as an agent of the Milan Commission, see No. 13755. Brougham called her (3 Oct.) 'the most perfect specimen . . . that most finished model—of the Complete waiting-maid, that I believe the world has ever seen actually existing ... a great adept in intrigue . . . Her constant practice is, to deal in "double entendres"'. 'Parl. Deb.' N.S. iii. 165.
(Supplementary information)
For the title, see No. 13828.
Imprint apparently cropped.
It is certain that the print was published by Fairburn, both from the style of lettering, and from the reference back to BMSat.13856 in the title.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1935
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1935,0522.12.151
