Hyde-Park, Sunday, or, Both hemispheres of the world in a sweat

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Hyde-Park, Sunday, or, Both hemispheres of the world in a sweat
etching, hand-colored
image: 205 x 333 mm; plate mark: 249 x 351 mm; sheet: 263 x 365 mm
Peel 2686
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Printmaker from George.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Five lines of text below title: "The world - and all the great 'which it inherit' - was there ..."
"Price 1 sh/6."

Summary: 

"A cavalcade of ladies and gentlemen on horseback riding close together, the legs of the horses being cut off by the lower margin of the print. Beneath the title is etched: 'The World - and all the great "which it inherit" - was there - Equestrian motion, universal - we saw all - mark'd all! - the Duelist with one Curl, & the Fraternal, one degree higher, down to the intelligencers of the Low-Pnnts (who cast their eyes around, that witness'd huge affliction & dismay); all was splendid - who (& what dignity but contained in that monosyllable?) not present? - Becky - was there!! - attraction spontaneous! - Old Quiz, cast a single glance! - "O the days when I was young! - one pang arose! - we view'd the field - captivating - beautiful - most beautiful! - but - Bunbury - where was Harry Bunbury? - we return'd - as (craving appetites of Cheapside satisfied) cent. pr cent. Citz: - Mans-mercers & Womens-mercers, were arriving, to inhale the clouded Air - Heat - Dust - Ibid - Ibidem. -" Topham rides (left to right) in the foreground, enormously fat, looking through a quizzing-glass. Next him is a stout lady probably intended for 'Becky' (Mrs. Wells) though resembling Mrs. Fitzherbert; she wears a hat with a floating veil. Queensberry (left) rides behind her, holding up a bunch of reins in his right hand. The other persons mentioned, the Duke of York (the duellist, see BMSat7531, &c.) and the Prince, are not depicted, unless a very stiff and erect officer (right) is intended for the Duke. The shoulders of the ultra-fashionable Topham are sprinkled with powder, cf. BMSat 8190."--British Museum online catalogue.

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