Title from item.
A drawing for or after a published etching issued with the same title (see BM Satires 4216).
Inscribed below image: The Second part will be Published as soon as possible of the Anonymous Lettr. Writer, & Seven Memrs. running away with the Books of the Society of Painters, from a Majority of Seventeen This Plate is Dedicated to the Honble. Membrs. of the Society for the Improvements of Arts &c. by their Humble. Servt. a Lover of Honesty.
"The Incorporated Society of Artists was notorious for internal dissension. In 1768 Francis Hayman was replaced as president by Joshua Kirby (hence "The Usurping Professor") after a number of directors had resigned in order to found the Royal Academy."--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalog.
Satire on in-fighting between members of the Incorporated Society of Artists of Great Britain. Seventeen men are arguing at four tables arranged as hollow square with candles, wine bottles and glasses. The devil whispers in the ear of the chairman (Joshua Kirby), in a high-backed chair, encouraging dissent between exhibitors, subscribers and "Dependent Members". Papers on the tables are lettered "a Inquiry by Stelth", "Book of Contradiction", and "False Minutes"; a pair of tongs is labelled, "to lead the Members by the Nose". Those at the table variously complain that it is not known who are members, that questions are not being answered, that the distincition between members and subscribers is not clear, that letters have not been sent to all, that the Chairman is lying, that subscribers should not "make Law for the Exhibitors", that money gained from exhibitions which was sent to charitable institutions has gained a governship for the Chairman while some exhibitors have gained nothing. The Chairman responds defensively: "The paper now Signing is not of any Business belonging to the Society", "We did send Letters and we did not", "As to the Question I as Chariman have a right to put what Question I Plese and Will". Three large hooks are fixed to the wall behind: one labelled, "A Hook for a Stainer in Marble"; a man who has left a chair at the table hangs from the next saying, "I assisted in doing Several Pictures for the Exhibition and am hung up"; the third is labelled, "A Hook for a House Painter Tho he has great Merit in Several Branches of Painting". Cf. British Museum online catalog.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.