"Whole length caricature portrait of a man sitting on a four-legged stool in profile to the right. He has a large sharp nose. In his left hand he holds a paper inscribed "Newgate Contract". On the ground are two papers, one inscribed "To Mr Nic", the other, "Speech agt City Place Bill". He is plainly and neatly dressed, his wig in a tight pigtail queue."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Mary Darly in dealer's description., Date of publication from the British Museum catalogue. Based on the building of new Newgate Prison which began in 1770 and was completed after 1780., The figure in the print is identified on the British Museum impression, "Sharp, an ironmonder in Leadenhall Street." The London directory for 1780 James Sharpe, Ironmonger is at 15 Leadenhall Street., and Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with partial loss of artist statement from lower left corner. Missing text supplied from impression in the British Museum, registration no.: 1868,0808.13117.