Reposing on a bed of roses [graphic] / Argus invt.

Creator:

Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.

Copyright Date:

[April 1806]

Physical Description:

1 print : etching on wove paper, hand-colored ; plate mark 24.5 x 34.6 cm, on sheet 26.3 x 38 cm

Related Links:

http://hdl.handle.net/10079/digcoll/lwlpr38003

Notes:

Title etched below image.
Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue.

Abstract:

"Ministers recline on a large low platform, representing a magnificent state bed, which is completely covered with roses. It recedes in perspective from left to right. On the left is Fox, looking sourly over his left shoulder at his neighbour, Sheridan, to say: "This is the most uncomfortable bed I was ever on in my Life and not the least like a bed of Roses - Zound!! what a thorn is running into me - Oh that Bramble - Sherry my Dear how do you find it - ". Sheridan answers: "My dear Charley, I have not had a wink since I have been on it, - curse that Castle man what did he mean by his bed of roses - I am as sore from the tip of my Nose, to the tip of my Toe - as if I had been roling on a quick set-hedge - or stung to death by a swarm of bees at a Hampshire Farmers [an allusion to Cobbett's pen]". Behind Fox, and in profile to the left, Moira, in uniform, with cocked hat and jack-boots, sits up, very erect; he says: "What are Cannons or Bombs or clashing of swords, compared to the pain I endure." Windham, next Sheridan, registering melancholy, says: "I feel more uneasy than if the whole Volunteer force was upon me." Ellenborough, behind Sheridan and Windham, ill-temperedly puts his hand to his wig. Erskine, also in wig and gown, reclines as if exhausted, his eyes closed, his attitude characteristic of his notorious fainting in court (see British Museum Satires No. 7956). He and Grey (Lord Howick from 11 Apr.), who sits behind him, are in profile to the right; the latter says: "It is just such a bed, as I expected the late bungling bed makers would leave us." On the extreme right little Lord Henry Petty (wearing his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown) sits up, angrily holding above his head two handfuls of thorn-branches. He says: "I shall never have done clearing the brambles and Nettles from this Bed, my Budget would not hold one half of them." The low frame of the bed is carved and has a valance of fringed and festooned draperies. At the head are the Royal Arms; looped curtains are suspended above it."--British Museum online catalogue.

Topics:

Beds.
Draperies.
Roses.

Topics:

Great Britain--Politics and government--1800-1837.

Topics:

Castlereagh, Robert Stewart,--Viscount,--1769-1822.
Cobbett, William,--1763-1835.
Ellenborough, Edward Law,--Baron,--1750-1818--Caricatures and cartoons.
Erskine, Thomas Erskine,--Baron,--1750-1823--Caricatures and cartoons.
Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
Grey, Charles Grey,--Earl,--1764-1845--Caricatures and cartoons.
Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings,--Marquess of,--1754-1826--Caricatures and cartoons.
Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice,--Marquess of,--1780-1863--Caricatures and cartoons.
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons.
Walker, Elizabeth, active 1789-1817, publisher.
Windham, William,--1750-1810--Caricatures and cartoons.

Language:

English

Genre:

Etchings--England--London--1806.
Satires (Visual works)--England--1806.

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Prints & Photographs

Rights:

These images are provided for study purposes only. For publication or other use of images from the Library's collection, please contact the Lewis Walpole Library at walpole@yale.edu. Further details on the Library's photoduplication policy are available at http://www.library.yale.edu/walpole/html/research/rights_reproductions.html

Call Number:

806.04.00.03+

Orbis Record:

14598754

Yale Collection:

Lewis Walpole Library
LEWIS WALPOLE LIBRARY, Prints and Drawings

Digital Collection:

Lewis Walpole Library

Local Record Number:

lwlpr38003

Citation:

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, no. 10559

OID:

16895166

PID:

digcoll:4855770