1.
- Creator:
- Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker
- Published / Created:
- [1812?]
- Call Number:
- 812.00.00.125+
- Image Count:
- 1
- Resource Type:
- still image
- Abstract:
- "A satire on the rebuilding of Drury Lane Theatre. Whitbread, Chairman of the Committee, bestrides a barrel, the head inscribed 'The Butt M, T' [empty]. He has long ass's ears and points to a table beside him on the extreme right where there is a model of a theatre with a pillared portico and pediment. This rests on a paper inscribed 'Whitbread Copeland Holland Rolls &ca clear gains 450000!!!!!' Next Whitbread a man sits behind a similar table littered with plans all inscribed 'Plan of Drury Lane'. He also has ass's ears, to which a second pair has been added in water-colour. He looks through an eye-glass, resting his right elbow on an anchor, while he holds at arm's length the model of a theatre whose portico is flanked by two large sphinxes. A carved sun, like the emblem of the Sun Fire-Office, decorates his chair; on the right is a broad post or terminal pillar supporting a man's head, also with ass's ears. This rests on a volume inscribed 'Commons', and on its face in large letters are the words 'Ex Nihilo Nihil Fil'; from its upper edge a signpost arm projects to the right inscribed 'To Coventry', showing that he is Peter Moore. Behind Whitbread (left) and partly screened by a heavy curtain is a table supporting a third model of a theatre, also with a portico. Whitbread, frowning slightly, says: "These Resolutions once carried good bye Friend Sherry Old Claimants and new Subscribers (aside) Hem! I think I have bullied the Committe [sic] properly." His neighbour (? Lord Holland) who smiles, has a round good-humoured face; he says: "La! Mr Chairman I think my Sphynxes look Monstrous Pretty.""--British Museum online catalogue
- Alternative Title:
- Punishment of a modern Midas
- Description:
- Title etched below image., Printmaker and date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark leaving thread margins., Watermark: J. Whatman., and Matted to 37 x 46 xm.
- Publisher:
- publisher not identified
- Subject (Geographic):
- England and London.
- Subject (Name):
- Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London, England), Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815, Moore, Peter, 1753-1828, and Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840
- Subject (Topic):
- Theaters, Architectural models, Barrels, and Traffic signs & signals
- Found in:
- Lewis Walpole Library > Committee of Taste, or, The punishment of a modern Midas dedicated (without permission) to the subscribers to the New Theatre Drury Lane. [graphic]