Melpomene in the dumps, or, Child's play defended by theatrical monarchs [graphic] :

Copyright Date:

[1804]

Physical Description:

1 sheet ([1] page) : etching ; sheet 43 x 27 cm

Notes:

Caption title in letterpress below etching.
Printmaker and date of publication from British Museum catalogue.

Abstract:

Illustration at the top of the letterpress broadside. "Mrs. Siddons leans back in her chair, majestically resentful. She addresses Harris, [Grego suggests Topham, whom he does not resemble, and who was living in Yorkshire.] patentee and manager of Covent Garden, who stands before her (l.), hat in hand. Between them stands the much taller J. P. Kemble, his left hand on his sister's shoulder. Mrs. Siddons leans one elbow on a table (r.) on which are three books: 'Salary Benifi[ts]', 'The Right of Woman', 'Duty of Man', and a bust of (?) herself, looking reproachfully towards the group. On the wall (r.) is part of a print: 'Propagation of a Lye', six figures from Bunbury's well-known plate, BMSat 7230 (1787). The text is a debate (printed in full by Grego): Mrs. Siddons complains to Harris of neglect on account of 'your Blind Bargain and Infant Roscius'. Harris, 'First Monarch', answers: 'if John Bull chooses to feed on slink calf, instead of substantial roast beef, yet consents to pay for the roast it is not for me to complain. . . . you have had your day. . . .' He reminds her of her good salary. Kemble, 'Second Monarch', supports him, and ends: 'Public taste ... is now in second childishness; and when mere oblivion takes place, then you shall make a sally, and should the Town require a filip [Philip] I will be at your elbow.'"--British Museum online catalogue.

Variant Titles:

Child's play defended by theatrical monarchs

Topics:

Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership.
Harvey, Francis--Ownership.
Kemble, John Philip,--1757-1823--Caricatures and cartoons.
Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker.
Shury, Daniel Nathan, printer.
Siddons, Sarah,--1755-1831--Caricatures and cartoons.

Language:

English

Genre:

Broadsides.
Etchings--England--London--1804.
Satires (Visual works)--England--1804.

Format:

Image

Rights:

The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Public

Call Number:

Auchincloss Rowlandson v. 8

Orbis Record:

8411244

Yale Collection:

Beinecke Library

Digital Collection:

General Collection, BRBL, Yale University

oid pointer:

11792701

Citation:

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, no. 10318
Grego J. Rowlandson the caricaturist, v. 2, pages 46-7

Extent of digitization:

Complete folder digitized.

OID:

11791897

PID:

digcoll:3996827