Illustration to a song engraved beneath the title. Jove, holding a sheaf of thunderbolts, stands (right) on clouds, angry at a petition delivered to anacreon (in heaven) from a club of 'sons of harmony' asking him to be 'their inspirer and patron'. With him is a confused crowd of gods and goddesses. Apollo, seated with his lyre, and momus, a jester in cap and bells, successfully take the part of the petitioners. The petition, a large inscribed scroll, lies on the clouds. In the background (left) is an irradiated circular temple, and mount helicon (right) from which pegasus is leaping. The song ends:
'may our club flourish happy, united, and free!
and long may the sons of anacreon intwine
the myrtle of venus with bacchus's vine. '
hand-coloured mezzotint. Date: 1791. Dimensions: Height: 350 mm; Width: 247 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Anakreon. Collection: British Museum. The Anacreontic Petition and Song (BM 1935,0522.1.74)
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