"A very fat lady crouches in a shell drawn by two swans; she holds (tricolour) reins attached to the birds' necks; a carriage-whip is in her right hand. She has a blotched profile; snaky curls hang oddly over her face; she wears a swathed neck-cloth over her chin, a riding-habit with a sleeve slashed in the manner usually denoting theatrical dress, and a hat trimmed with tricolour feathers. Behind her (left) ride two little cupids, each on a swan, with postilion's caps and coats; each plies vigorously a whip made of a bow; a quiver with arrows hangs at the back of the nearer cupid, who has butterfly wings; the back of the other is hidden. Their reins, &c., are tricolour. Their swans stretch their necks angrily at the back of the 'Venus'. Foreground and background are sea and sky."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Swansea Venus, Swan-sea Venus, and Venus a la coquille
Description:
A lightly etched letter "P" precedes imprint statement., Printmaker identified as Gillray in the British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humprey, No. 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.