Three men, each described by the different sections of the title, illustrate the fashions of the day. [1] on the left a man, standing before a makeshift dressing-table, adds the last touches to his complexion before putting on his coat, his face being reflected in the draped mirror; in his left hand is a rouge-pot. He wears long tight-fitting breeches, held up under his arms by braces; a curious projection extends beyond his shirt-frill. His feet are bare and his stockings are without feet; his slippers lie beside him. Two long heavy chains with seals hang from the upper edge of his high-waisted breeches. He wears whiskers and a curled wig with a queue. On the dressing-table and in its open drawer are pots of 'lip salve', 'cork', 'pear[l]', a tooth-brush, &c. [2] at the back of the table, half of which serves as a dressing-table for [1], sits a disappointed gambler, his chair tilted, his right elbow resting on the table on which are dice, dice-box, and an empty purse. He holds a switch in his hand, playing-cards are under his feet. He has whiskers, wears a high-crowned hat, a coat with a shawl-like collar which stands back from his neck, low shoes with large buckles. [3] a man stands (left) in back view scratching his cropped head. Under his left arm is a bludgeon. His coat is cut away into narrow tails which end almost in a point. He wears short top-boots with long spurs. From his coat-pocket, which is at the back of his coat, protrudes a paper inscribed 'to cure a scab'd head. ' 22 september 1791
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1791. Dimensions: Height: 254 mm (printed image); Width: 376 mm (plate-mark). Medium: paper. Depicted People: Franz Kotzwara. Collection: British Museum. A. gallows. A. hanging collar. A. cut down or Coatzwarro (BM 1876,1014.8)
Loading...