"A fat and ugly lady (left) and a young and pretty one (right) are being dressed for a Birthday at St. James's. A huge wig decked with feathers and roses is being placed by a maid on the bald head of the elder lady, who stands holding a bouquet and looking in a mirror which reflects a delighted grin. A little black page supports the mirror; he turns to a dog which fawns on him. Another maid fastens in front a false 'derrière', which will distend her dress below the waist, see BMSat 7100, &c. The girl is seated; a friseur dresses her long hair; a man-milliner, 'chapeau-bras', prepares to adjust a 'derrière'; she touches approvingly the dress which an ugly old woman wearing a hat holds out to her. On the floor is a round box containing roses."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Reissue, with alteration of date in printmaker's signature and addition of shading and background elements in design. For earlier state published 3 March 1789, see no. 9678 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 7., Companion print to: Dressing for a masquerade., Temporary local subject terms: Birthday at St. James's Palace -- Female costume: Derrières -- Dressing for St. James's Birthday Ball -- Black page -- Hairdressers: Friseur -- Male milliners -- Feathered female wigs., 1 print : etching and stipple engraving on wove paper, hand-colored ; plate mark 35.8 x 50.9 cm, on sheet 36.2 x 51.5 cm., and Final two numbers of date in imprint have been erased and "90" written in manuscript.
Publisher:
Publish'd as the act directs, April 1790, by S.W. Fores, N. 3 Piccadilly
