Ancient music
Evidently inspired by verses in Peter Pindar's satirical work Ode upon ode.
In a later state of this etching, the figures are numbered and identified in notes below the image. Cf. George.
At right of caption title: Monarchs, who with Rapture wild, Hear their own Praise with Mouths of gaping Wonder, And control each Crotchet of the Birth-day Thunder. Peter Pindar.
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Print shows the King George III and Queen Charlotte seated under a canopy and listening enraptured to a concert. Among the performers may be identified Williams-Wynn, one of the founders of 'The Concert of Antient Music', depicted here as a sleeping figure with a goat's head. A demon child and an infant with butterfly-wings sit together on the barrier, singing from one book. A braying ass holding a book is Ashbridge, a celebrated kettle-drummer. An owl wearing a large cap stands on the barrier, a piece of music under its claws inscribed 'Anointed Solomon, King over all, E------' is Gertrud Mara, and a large ox supporting a music-book on his hoofs is Joah Bates, originator and conductor of 'The Concert of Antient Music'. In the second row of performers (right to left) is a group of three fishwives: the Duke of Richmond, with a basket of fish on his head, arms akimbo; the Marquis Lansdowne, and Col. Barré. Next is Mawbey, holding under his arm a squeaking pig whose tail he is twisting as if it were a musical instrument (Mawbey, as a distiller, was famous for keeping large quantities of hogs). Two lawyers sing from the same music; they are Arden and Macdonald. Behind their heads stand two judges (Dundas and Loughborough) each holding a chimney-sweep's shovel and brush which they strike together in the manner of chimney-sweeps on May Day. Above the other performers is Thurlow, who is birching the bare posteriors of two terrified boys who serve as kettle-drums. Two squalling and fighting cats hang from the ceiling by ribbons attached to their tails. Next to the King's right, stands Pitt, very erect, a rattle in his right hand, blowing a whistle attached to a child's coral and bells. Behind the Queen are two ladies: Madame Schwellenberg and Elizabeth Jefferyes or Jeffries, a Maid of Honour. The royal party are on a circular carpet. On the roof of the canopy sits a demon holding up a purse in each hand. Three hounds, inscribed 'G. R. Windsor', chase a fox (Fox), to whose tail is tied (by a ribbon inscribed 'Coalition') a pot with the features of North.
Ray, Gordon N. (Gordon Norton), 1915-1986, former owner.