The Bengal levee [graphic]
Found In:
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library > The Bengal levee [graphic]
Description
- Title
- The Bengal levee [graphic]
- Creator
- Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker
- Contributor
-
Gillray, James, 1756-1815, publisher.
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher. - Published / Created
- [9 November 1792]
- Publication Place
- London
- Publisher
- Publish'd Novr. 9th, 1792, by Js. Gillray, Chealsea, & by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
- Abstract
-
"Lord Cornwallis holds a levee in Government House, Calcutta, in a large room divided by a panelled partition which stretches across the design from left to right and is broken by three wide doorways, showing an inner room, crowded with guests, with three large windows between which are pier-glasses in ornate frames. In the spaces between the doorways are four candle-sconces placed above four of Thomas Daniell's 'Views of Calcutta', either the originals or (more probably) the aquatints. [Published by him at Calcutta 1786-8, reproduced in W. Corfield's 'Calcutta Faces and Places'. Cf. also 'Memoirs of William Hickey', iii. 327, 342.] In the nearer portion of the room the figures are dispersed; Cornwallis stands in the inner room on the right, his right hand on his breast, left in his breeches pocket. He is talking to Cudbert Thornhill, a grotesque-looking civilian who faces him in profile to the right. Behind Thornhill, waiting to approach Cornwallis, is King Collins wearing regimentals. Behind this group is a crowd of unidentified guests. The figures in the foreground (left to right) are: Lt.-Col. Alexander Ross, secretary to Cornwallis, who is talking to Colonel John Fullarton, senior officer at the Presidency ('East India Kalendar', 1791, p. 14). Next, a stout civilian, with legs thick to deformity, holds both hands of a very slim and foppish civilian; they are John Haldane and Claud Benizett, [Identified by Wright and Evans as John Wilton.] Sub-Treasurer. The centre figures are a very stout colonel talking to a thin and grotesque civilian holding a long cane; both wear spectacles. They are Colonel Auchmuty and William Pye, Collector of the Twenty-four Pergunnahs. A grotesquely ugly little civilian, standing alone in profile to the left, taking snuff, is W. C. Blaquiere. [Identified by Wright and Evans] On the extreme right an obese man and a cadaverously thin man, both civilians, take each other's hands in an affected manner; they are Robert MacFarlane, Clerk of the Market, and John Miller, Deputy of Police. From MacFarlane's pocket hangs a long paper: 'Price Current Calcutta Market Grain Rice Bran Paddy Agent'. Behind Pye stands the Rev. Thomas Blanshard, a very stout man in profile to the left with his hands behind his back. Behind him a civilian grasps the hands of a Greek priest wearing robes and a high hat. They are Edward Tiretta of the Bazaar and Father Parthanio. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
- Description
-
Title etched below image.
Artist reputed to be General Stevenson. See British Museum catalogue.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark on three edges.
Temporary local subject terms: John Collins, d. 1807, "King Collins" -- John Fullarton -- John Haldane -- Claud Benizett (or Benezet?) -- Sir Samuel Auchmuty, 1756-1822 -- William Pye -- W.C. Blaquiere -- Robert MacFarlane -- John Miller -- Thomas Blanshard -- Edward Tiretta -- Father Parthanio -- Gilbert Hall -- John Wilton -- John Williamson -- Abraham Caldicott (or Caldecott) -- Medical: Gargoylism (Lipochondrodystrophy) -- Market price lists -- Pier-glass mirrors -- Military officers' uniforms -- Levees -- Snuff boxes -- Pictures amplifying subject: Views of Calcutta by Thomas Daniell, 1749-1840 -- Lighting: Candle-sconces -- Members of East India Company in Calcutta -- Interior of Government House in Calcutta -- Male costume: Civilians of East India Company, 1792 -- Clergy: Greek Priest -- Chaplain of the Residency in Calcutta -- Horace Walpole refers to subject of print, YW 31. 284 -- India -- Spectacles -- Walking sticks -- Canes -- Wigs.
1 print : etching & stipple engraving on wove paper ; plate mark 42.4 x 61.9 cm, on sheet 49.3 x 62.3 cm.
Sheet trimmed to plate mark on right and left edges.
Mounted on leaf 48 of volume 8 of 12. - Provenance
- From a collection in twelve volumes probably compiled by Francis Harvey and sold at auction, Sotheby, London, June 1900. Bequest of Hugh Dudley Auchincloss to Yale University Library, 1981. Bound by Riviere & Son in three-quarters red morocco with gold tooling and gold lettering on spine.
- Extent
- 1 print : sheet 42.5 x 61 cm
- Extent of Digitization
- This object has been completely digitized.
- Language
-
English
Collection Information
- Repository
- Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Call Number
- Auchincloss Gillray v. 8
Subjects, Formats, And Genres
- Genre
-
Caricatures and cartoons
Satires (Visual works) England 1792
Etchings England London 1792
Stipple engravings England London 1792
Annotations (Provenance) 18th century - Material
- etching & stipple engraving ; and wove paper hand-colored.
- Resource Type
- still image
- Subject (Name)
-
Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805
Ross, Alexander, 1742-1827
Teignmouth, John Shore, Baron, 1751-1834 - Subjects
-
Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805 > Caricatures and cartoons
Ross, Alexander, 1742-1827 > Caricatures and cartoons
Teignmouth, John Shore, Baron, 1751-1834 > Caricatures and cartoons
England > 1792
England > London > 1792
18th century
Riviere & Son > Binding
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley > Ownership
Harvey, Francis > Ownership
Access And Usage Rights
- Access
- Public
- Rights
- The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Identifiers
- Catalog Record
- 9814076
- Object ID (OID)
- 11859397
Manifest Link