Courtship, John Boydell, 1766

A lady in profile to the right seated in a wood, while a man dressed as a military officer lying at her feet, kisses her left hand. Behind (left) an old woman points out the couple to an elderly man, apparently the lady's rather, who scowls at them. On a high pedestal (right) inscribed "omnia vincit amor" is a statue of venus, with cupid beside her; he aims an arrow at the lovers, while he tramples on a crown at his feet. A dog licks the lady's left hand. Beside her on the ground is a flute and an open book of music on which are the words, "affettuoso each art he tried the fair one's heart to move he sigh'd, & kist, & swore eternal love. " beside the book is a paper inscribed, "la lettione del l'amore a favourite duet compos'd by sigr pianissimo". A peacock (left) pecks at a basket of grapes. 24 june 1782 etching and engraving. Date: 1766. Dimensions: Height: 409 mm; Width: 463 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Thomas Bradford. Collection: British Museum. Courtship (BM 1859,0709.673)