Ancient military dandies of 1450 - Modern military dandies - of 1819 / etched by G. Cruikshank.

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George Cruikshank
Ancient military dandies of 1450 - Modern military dandies - of 1819 / etched by G. Cruikshank.
hand colored engraving
9 1/8 x 13 3/8 inches; with border: 10 1/4 x 14 inches
Peel 2101
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Summary: 

Officers in uniform and others are inspecting figures in armour standing under Gothic alcoves in Carlton House. These have small waists and bulging breasts, like officers of 1818-19, but are taller and more stalwart than their visitors. They have helmets with heraldic plumes; one with open visor has a life-like face with moustache. A Life Guards officer and a Lancer officer walk arm-in-arm, both wearing elaborate helmets. Of two others, one short and very obese Guards officer wearing a monstrous bearskin is talking to a lady who confronts him with a 'Catalogue of the Armour', and whose bonnet completely hides her face. He wears the Peninsular medal, and, like the other two, the Waterloo medal. Another lady is with a dandy on the extreme left; both ladies wear pelisses reaching to their feet.

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