"Portrait of Matthew Skeggs seated three-quarter length slightly to left, eyes to front, holding and 'playing' broom with bow as if it were a cello, music stand beside pillar and curtain at left; in the character of Signor Bumbasto; proof before letters."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from published state., Artist and printmaker from statements of responsibility on lettered state: Thos. King pinxt. ; Richd. Houston fecit., State from: Smith, J.C. British mezzotinto portraits., Publisher information from later state with the imprint "Sold by the proprietor M. Jackson the corner of Bride Court in Fleet Street, & M. Skeggs at the Hoop and bunch of Grapes in St. Albans Street"; see: Smith, J.C. British mezzotinto portraits., Date of publication based on activity dates of artist Thomas King and publisher Michael Jackson; see British Museum online catalogue., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark at bottom.
