"Design in a circle inset in a square. A young dancer, Auguste Vestris (Vestr' Allard) in the centre of the stage. He is poised on the right toe, his left leg extended horizontally, his arms held out, a wide-brimmed hat, trimmed with ribbon and flowers in his right hand; his head thrown back rests on his right shoulder and he is smiling. Trees form the background, and on the right of the stage are flats, also of trees. In each of the lower angles of the square is a goose, standing on one leg."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Campanion print to: "He danc'd like a monkey, his pockets well cram'd ...", Printmakers and artist from British Museum catalogue., Text below image continues: ... said to a Lacedaemonian, I do not believe you can do as much; "True (said he) but every goose can.", Text in lower right corner of plate: See Plutarch's Laconic Apothegms, vol. I, page 406., and Title from text below image.
"Vestris fils, as in BMSat 5905, on the same stage, is dancing in a similar pose, poised on his right toe, his back to the audience, looking over his left shoulder smiling. In his right hand is his hat, held out as before but full of notes or bills, inconspicuously inscribed "gui, £1100", and "£20,000". In his left hand he holds out a netted purse to which is attached a label inscribed "English Guineas". In place of the goose of BMSat 5897 in each lower angle of the square is an ape dressed as a dancer and with his hat held out, cf. BMSat 5903; one (left) matches the pose of Vestris in BMSat 5905, the other (right) his pose in this design."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state of the same composition.
Alternative Title:
He danced like a monkey, his pockets well crammed ... and Oh qui goose-toe!
Description:
Campanion print to: "A stranger at Sparta standing long upon one leg ...", Date of publication based on publisher's street address. See British Museum online catalogue., Printmakers and artist from description of earlier state in the British Museum catalogue., Reissue, with different publication line, of a print issued with the imprint "Pubd. May 16th, 1781, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand." Cf. No. 5906 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 5., Text below image continues: ... caper'd off with a grin, "kiss my a*** & be d-d.", and Title from text below image.
Publisher:
Willm. Holland, No. 50 Oxford Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Bartolozzi, Francesco, 1727-1815, printmaker., Dance, Nathaniel, Sir, 1735-1811, artist., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Holland, William, active 1782-1817, publisher., Pastorini, Benedetto, 1746- printmaker., and Vestris, Auguste,--1760-1842--Caricatures and cartoons.
