A design resembling a high-relief depicts three amoretti attend the toilet of an old hag. The cestus of Venus is a huge pad which one of the attendants ties round the old woman's waist as another attendant holds up a mirror. A third cupid ties the girdle as the arrows fall from the quiver on his back. Behind him, the altar of Venus has tipped over, the fire still burning. A copy of Ovid's Art of love protrudes from the old woman's pocket
Alternative Title:
Vestal of 1793 trying on the cestus of Venus
Description:
Title etched below image., Subtitle transposed from below lines of verse., Early state, with printmaker's name present., Three lines of quoted verse below title: "Upon her fragrant breast the zone was brac'd ..., A satire on the 'pads' which became fashionable in 1793., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 29th, 1793, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
