A miserable, angry-looking tailor stands in the middle of his dilapidated workshop. His wig is turned sideways on his head, his empty pockets turned wrong side out, and his stockings undone. Between his feet on the floor lies a large lottery ticket signed "Blank." The tools of his trade are scattered on the workbench and on the floor, including his trade guild tankard. On the wall to the right hangs an advertisement referring to the bubble lottery of 1698, on the left a broadside ridiculing Mongolfier's hot air balloon ascent earlier in the year. Below it lies a credit note from a baker.
Description:
First of two images etched on the same plate and published as one print., Imperfect: original print includes two images. Publication line trimmed., Mounted to 29 x 19 cm., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., Possibly after Ramberg's painting, Bad news., Publication information from a copy in the Peel Collection, Pierpont Morgan Library., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Title from caption etched above image.
Publisher:
Publish'd Novr. 26, 1783, by Jno. Russell, Bond Street, Bath
Subject (Name):
Ramberg, Johann Heinrich, 1763-1840
Subject (Topic):
Interiors, Lotteries, Poverty -- England -- 18th century, Tailor shops, and Tailors