Pizarro contemplating over the product of his new Peruvian Mine., James Gillray, 1799

Sheridan stands on the stage dressed as pizarro (played by barrymore), gloating over guineas with which his helmet is filled. On the right is a flat consisting of a palm-tree with golden fruit, on the left columns wreathed with roses and decorated with theatrical emblems: tragic masks and spirals of cupids who blow fame's trumpet, each holding a placard: 'oracle puff p. '; 'morning chronicle puff puff puff'; 'morning herald puff' [&c, &c]; 'courier' [&c, &c, cf. Bmsat 9194]; 'times' [&c, &c. ]. In the background is mountain scenery with the mouth of the cave. Below the title: "honor? reputation? a mere bubble! - will the praises of posterity charm my bones in the grave? - 'psha! - my present \ "purpose is all! - o, gold! gold! for thee, i would sell my native spain, as freely as i would plunder peru. " 4 june 1799 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1799. Dimensions: Height: 355 mm; Width: 252 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Collection: British Museum. Pizarro contemplating over the product of his new Peruvian Mine. (BM 1868,0808.12532)