"Three men sit, singing a catch, with a round table between them. A British officer (perhaps Cotton), wearing a cocked hat, sits in profile to the right, facing Dalrymple who sits (right) with tightly closed mouth, his hands on his knees. Between them, but with his chair from Dalrymple, sits a man in Spanish (here Portuguese) dress, wearing a feathered hat. The British officer sings: T'was You Sir-Hew - Twas Hew. that let the French Escape, That makes you look so blue Sir-Hew Sir Hew! He and the Portuguese (perhaps Freire) point minatory hands at Dalrymple, whose face is painted lead colour. On the wall are two pictures: (above the Portuguese) 'A correct representation of the French Plunderers stopt in their progress by the Spanish Patriots.' [at Baylen] and (above Dalrymple): 'A Correct representation of the French Plunderers quitting Portugal for France - under a British Escort.' In one a long train of wagons is stopped by armed men, in the other are ships in full sail. On the table are glasses and decanters of 'Port and Calcavella'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., and Watermark: E& P.
Publisher:
Pubd. Octr. 1808 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Spain. and Portugal.
Subject (Name):
Cotton, Charles, Sir, 1753-1812 and Dalrymple, Hew Whiteford, Sir, 1750-1830
Subject (Topic):
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, Campaigns, Generals, British, Military officers, Singing, Wine, Drinking vessels, and Pictures
"A grotesquely fat woman, much decolletee, sits at a piano (left) singing and playing, her left foot on the pedal. With upturned eyes and gaping mouth she sings: "Just like love ..." [three times]. Her music book is open at: 'Just like Love a Favorite Song Sung by Mr Braham'. A fat man in old-fashioned dress, standing just behind her, his hands raised in surprise, turns to address two younger men who are fashionably dressed. He asks: "Don't my Lady play and Sing delightfully? she was finished under the famous Sigr Squawlletti." The man on the extreme right, holding his friend's arm, says: "By G- if the Signior had been under my Lady she would have finish'd him! would'nt She Sir Thomas." The other laughs: "Ha! Ha! Ha! come that's a good one!"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from caption below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark on one side., and Watermark: Cansell 1822.