"A naked, bald, and grotesquely obese man stands on the tips of his toes about to plunge, or rather topple, into a bath, in which he admires, Narcissus-like, his own absurd reflection. He is poised on a platform projecting over the bath; behind him stands a comely young woman, watching in astonishment. A flesh-brush is beside her, another is on a seat on the opposite side of the bath, where a print of Narcissus is on the wall. An ugly old woman's head looks through a small rectangular aperture up m the wail; she is much amused at the scene. On the wall is a placard: 'Glowcocks Bagnio Cold and Hot Baths Cupping Sweating and otherwise cleansing the body performed here Lodgings for Gentlemen.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image. and Sheet trimmed with plate mark on top edge.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 6, 1803, by R. Ackermann, N. 101 Strand, London
Subject (Name):
Narcissus (Greek mythological character),
Subject (Topic):
Prostitution, Public baths, Obesity, Therapeutic baths, Bathing, Nudes, and Signs (Notices)
"Two handsome young courtesans coax an enormously obese and carbuncled 'cit' towards the door of a bagnio (right). One (right) takes him by the wrist, throwing back a cloak to reveal her charms; he leers hideously at her. The other takes him by the shoulders and chin. Above the door are the words 'Warm Bath'. A placard beside it: 'Restorative Drops -Old Age Debility of ever so long standing quickly restored to Youth and Vigour - Prepar'd & Sold by the . . .' They are under an archway inscribed 'Bagnio Court' in an arcade, suggesting Covent Garden."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., "Price one shilling coloured.", Plate numbered "146" in upper right corner., and The exposed breasts of the women in the image have been covered with cross-hatched lines in sepia ink.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 1st, 1812, by Thos. Tegg, No. 111 Cheapside
Subject (Topic):
Prostitution, Baths, Warm, Courtesans, Public baths, Doors & doorways, and Signs (Notices)
