"A drunken orgy in a room with mirrors on the wall. Britannia, dressed as a courtesan (right), leans back in a chair, dead drunk, in her right. hand is a wine-bottle. One foot rests on her shield. A man standing behind pours over her the contents of a wine-bottle, in his right. hand he holds out a wine-glass. In the centre is a staggering figure wearing the ribbon and order of the Bath. His pocket is being picked by a plainly dressed man, while another holds his shoulder. Two men aimlessly flourish drawn swords. Another aims a blow with a long pole at a mirror. A courtesan has broken a mirror with a wine-bottle which she is waving in the air. In the background a woman, seated on a man's knee, is picking his pocket. On the floor in the foreground are broken wine-glasses, and a broken punch-bowl inscribed "the Constitution". The explanatory text asks "Who are the greatest drunkards? - Those at the helm - Who set the most glaring examples of adultery, fornication, &c -.."."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Great ones in a bagnio
Description:
Title etched below image., Publication place and date inferred from that of the magazine for which this plate was engraved., Plate from: The Oxford magazine or, Universal museum ... London : Printed for the authors, v. 8, p. 185., and Temporary local subject terms: Drunkenness -- Prostitutes -- Dishes -- Allusion to the Constitution.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Britannia (Symbolic character), Intoxication, Courtesans, Drinking vessels, Wine, Bowls (Tableware), and Pickpockets
