John james heidegger, manager of the italian opera at the king's theatre, in a rage; heidegger seated in the centre, points with his right hand to two candles which he orders to be put out, and a man leaps forward from the right with a pair of snuffers, while on the left, a mason with a mallet in his belt makes a deep obeisance, and another man offers a pair of keys, while another, behind him on the left and reaching up with an open book (?) in his hands turns to look at heidegger. Two commedia dell' arte masks and harlequin's slapstick lie on the floor at heidegger's feet, and a grenadier's cap is suspended on the right (referring to the story that heidegger had served in the guards). Graphite. Date: circa 1740. Dimensions: Height: 247 mm; Width: 308 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: John James Heidegger. Collection: British Museum. Drawing, print study (BM 1858,0417.618 1)
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