Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827)
The Prospect Before us. No.1. Humanely inscribed to all those Professors of Music and Dancing whom the cap may fit. 13 - 13 Jan 1791
Hand-coloured etching | 37.5 x 51.6 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 810403
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A hand-coloured print of the dancers and opera singers appealing for funds with which to restore the decaying theatre in which they performed. Musicians including a kettle drummer and a violinist, ragged and without breeches, perform on the left hand side. Dancers perform in the centre with a model of the decayed Opera house balanced overhead. A chimney sweep drops a coin into Auguste Vestris hat and a butcher deposits a heart and other entrails into ?Gaetano Vestris's hat. In between them stands Giovanna Sestini. Inscribed in the plate: Pubd as the Act directs Jan 13 1791 by SW Fores Piccadilly
Provenance
Purchased by George IV when Prince of Wales from William Holland (TNA HO73/20/1, fol.31)
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Creator(s)
(publisher)Acquirer(s)
Subject(s)
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Medium and techniques
Hand-coloured etching
Measurements
37.5 x 51.6 cm (sheet of paper)
35.3 x 50.4 cm (platemark)
Category
Object type(s)