A man sits in an armchair next to fireplace frantically ringing for service while boling water pours from the spout of a kettle onto one of his two gouty feet. The other foot is raised from the stool to avoid the hot water but has overturned a table with tray full of dishes which has fallen in front of a maid lingering in the doorway. Embracing the maid from behind is a black footman. A screaming cat stands, back arched, in front of the man's footstool. On the left a pair of crutches are placed against the fireplace; the mantel is lined with medicinal bottles. A map hangs on the wall behind along side a barometer
Description:
Title from dealer's label on verso of the frame., Attributed to Thomas Rowlandson., and Another drawing on this theme with the title: The old batchelor in distress. In the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford: Ashmolean catalogue, vol IV-1982 #1623.
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Topic):
Gout, Interiors, Chimneypieces, Blacks, and Servants
