"A satire on the rebuilding of Drury Lane Theatre. Whitbread, Chairman of the Committee, bestrides a barrel, the head inscribed 'The Butt M, T' [empty]. He has long ass's ears and points to a table beside him on the extreme right where there is a model of a theatre with a pillared portico and pediment. This rests on a paper inscribed 'Whitbread Copeland Holland Rolls &ca clear gains 450000!!!!!' Next Whitbread a man sits behind a similar table littered with plans all inscribed 'Plan of Drury Lane'. He also has ass's ears, to which a second pair has been added in water-colour. He looks through an eye-glass, resting his right elbow on an anchor, while he holds at arm's length the model of a theatre whose portico is flanked by two large sphinxes. A carved sun, like the emblem of the Sun Fire-Office, decorates his chair; on the right is a broad post or terminal pillar supporting a man's head, also with ass's ears. This rests on a volume inscribed 'Commons', and on its face in large letters are the words 'Ex Nihilo Nihil Fil'; from its upper edge a signpost arm projects to the right inscribed 'To Coventry', showing that he is Peter Moore. Behind Whitbread (left) and partly screened by a heavy curtain is a table supporting a third model of a theatre, also with a portico. Whitbread, frowning slightly, says: "These Resolutions once carried good bye Friend Sherry Old Claimants and new Subscribers (aside) Hem! I think I have bullied the Committe [sic] properly." His neighbour (? Lord Holland) who smiles, has a round good-humoured face; he says: "La! Mr Chairman I think my Sphynxes look Monstrous Pretty.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Punishment of a modern Midas
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker and date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark leaving thread margins., Watermark: J. Whatman., and Matted to 37 x 46 xm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London, England), Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815, Moore, Peter, 1753-1828, and Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840
Subject (Topic):
Theaters, Architectural models, Barrels, and Traffic signs & signals
