Veronica, a breakfast conversationRowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker[30 May 1786]eng"Johnson (left) sits at a small rectangular breakfast-table with his back to the door. A nursemaid behind him holds the infant Veronica, who leans forward, pushing Johnson's wig from his head; he holds up his finger admonishingly and does not appear pleased, though all the others smile admiringly. These are: Mrs. Boswell, seated (right) opposite Johnson; Boswell standing beside Johnson and clasping his hands over 'Ogden' (cf. BMSat 7031); the two visitors, Mr. Scott and Sir William Forbes; the tousled foot-boy, who carries in a tray of tea-things which he is about to place beside the urn on the otherwise bare table. Three pictures decorate the wall: 'Sancta Veronica', kneeling in prayer before a reading-desk; a medallion inscribed 'Bruce' and a half length portrait of 'Alexander of Kincardin' dressed as a courtier."--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image.One in a series of twenty plates by Rowlandson after S. Collings. See British Museum catalogue v. 6, page 345.Plate from: Picturesque beauties of Boswell, Part the First. [London] : [E. Jackson], [1786]Three lines of verse below title: "Mr. Johnson was pleas'd with my daughter Veronica, then a child of about four-months old she had the appearance of listening to him ..." Vide Journal p. 17.Sheet trimmed within plate mark.Temporary local subject terms: Ogden -- Nursemaid -- Tea tray -- Tea urn -- Mr. Scott -- Portrait on wall: Alexander of Kincardin -- Portrait on wall: Bruce.