"A crowded scene, the amateurs of the Pic Nic Society are dressing and rehearsing. The design may derive from Hogarth's 'Actresses dressing in a Barn' (BMSat 2403), Gillray stressing the contrast between his luxurious mise-en-scène and the squalor of Hogarth's players. The centre figure is Lady Buckinghamshire, enormous, florid, and gorgeous, her skirts outspread, standing before a dressing-table, touching one of many patches on her face and holding her part, that of 'Roxana' [in Lee's tragedy, 'The Rival Queens; or the Death of Alexander the Great']. Under her dressing-table is a square bottle of 'Usquebaugh' and a glass. On Roxana's l., with her back to the dressing-table, sits Lady Salisbury, her legs crossed and much exposed, pulling on a laced boot. Her neck is swathed with a spotted cravat as in BMSat 9908. Near her on the floor are the second boot, a pair of breeches, and her part: 'the Part of Squire Groom to be per[formed], by [Lady Salisbu]ry'. She gazes at the huge Lord Cholmondeley who stands in profile to the left., dominating the left. of the design. He is dressed as Cupid; a tunic covered with a design of ring-doves, hearts, arrows, and cross a torches defines a vast paunch across which is a tricolour ribbon inscribed 'Amor Vincit Omnia'. He has butterfly wings, massive quiver filled with heavy arrows, and holds an arrow in his left hand. He stands impassively, his head wreathed with flowers. In the foreground, in front of Cholmondeley stands the tiny Lord Mount Edgcumbe in a swaggering attitude, studying his part: 'Alexander the Great', as in BMSat 9916. He wears armour, with a swathed cravat and vandyked ruff, and a helmet on which is a dragon spitting fire. Facing Cholmondeley and immediately behind Lady Salisbury is little Lord Derby blowing a French horn. Behind is a group of musicians: Lord Carlisle (l.) blows the bassoon with a melancholy expression, facing Lord Salisbury who pompously plays a small fiddle. Between them is Col. Greville or Lord Abercorn playing the triangle. ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Peep at the green room
Description:
Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humprey, No. 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Abercorn, John James Hamilton,--Marquess of,--1756-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Buckinghamshire, Albinia Hobart,--Countess of,--1738-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Carlisle, Frederick Howard,--Earl of,--1748-1825--Caricatures and cartoons., Cecil, Mary Amelia,--Marchioness of Salisbury,--1750-1835--Caricatures and cartoons., Cholmondeley, George James Cholmondeley,--Marquess of,--1749-1827--Caricatures and cartoons., Fitzherbert, Maria Anne,--1756-1837--Caricatures and cartoons., George--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1762-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., Hanger, George,--1751?-1824--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n97861435, Jersey, Frances Villiers,--Countess of,--1753-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Mount Edgcumbe, Richard Edgcumbe,--Earl of,--1764-1839--Caricatures and cartoons., Queensberry, William Douglas,--Duke of,--1725-1810--Caricatures and cartoons., Salisbury, James Cecil,--Marquess of,--1748-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., Skeffington, Lumley St. George,--Sir,--1771-1850--Caricatures and cartoons., and Smith-Stanley, Edward,--1752-1834--Caricatures and cartoons.
"A sequel to British Museum satire no. 10019. The King and Queen sit on chairs of state intently watching a rectangular tank in which Napoleon as Gulliver sails his little boat, manoeuvring the single sail. Behind the King's chair Lord Salisbury stands stiffly, holding his wand of office; the gold key is attached to his coat-pocket: he has the straight shapeless legs that Gillray always gives him. ... Two princesses sit beside the tank on the Queen's right; like the Queen, each holds up her fan. Two younger princesses stand behind. Two little pages (left) blow violently at the sail to propel the boat, while a third laughs. Two beefeaters (right) grin broadly. All are amused except the King and Queen, who are more serious."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Artist identified as Lt-Col Thomas Braddyll, a young amateur who supplied designs for satirical prints to James Gillray. See British Museum catalogue., Text following title: Scene "Gulliver manoeuv'ring with his little-boat in the cistern," vide Swifts Gulliver. "I often used to Row for my own diversion, as well as that of the Queen & her Ladies, who thought themselves well entertained with my skill & agility. Sometimes I would put up my Sail and shew my art, by steering starboard & larboard, - However, my attempts produced nothing else besides a loud laughter, which all the respect due to his Majesty from those about him could not make them contain. - This made me reflect, how vain an attempt it is for a man to endeavour to do himself honour among those, who are out of all degree of equality or comparison with him!!! - See, Voyage to Brobdingnag., and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Augusta Sophia,--Princess, daughter of George III, King of Great Britain,--1768-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., Braddyll, Thomas , 1776-1862, artist., Charlotte,--Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain,--1744-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Elizabeth,--Princess of England,--1770-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Mary,--Duchess of Gloucester,--1776-1857--Caricatures and cartoons., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Salisbury, James Cecil,--Marquess of,--1748-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., Sophia,--Princess, daughter of George III, King of Great Britain,--1777-1848--Caricatures and cartoons., and Swift, Jonathan,--1667-1745.--Gulliver's travels--Adaptations, parodies, etc.