Amateur musicians, the design based on 'Ars-Musica,' altered, and much elaborated. Four ugly and elderly men grouped round a young woman who sits, full face, at a square piano lit by a guttering candle. She lifts her hands to thump, with grim determination. A cellist is on her right, a vast gouty leg thrust forward, a violinist on her left. Behind her are two flautists. Behind (left), a young officer and a girl flirt, hand in hand. In the background (right) are visitors: two military officers shake hands, one bowing so that his sword lifts up the petticoats of a fat lady walking off to the right. A dog howls with one paw on a music-book (BM).
Title from item.
BM Satires 9766
Additional information accompanying item: From the 1824 Gillray collection of copies, etched and published by John Miller and W. Blackwood.
Notes (acquisition):
Gift; Louis Black; December 1953
Notes (date):
Date from British Museum.
Reproduction. Date indicated is Gillray's original publication date.
Notes (citation):
Stephens, Frederic George, George, Mary Dorothy. "Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum." British Museum Press, 1870, London.
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