Jason et Medee, Ballet Tragique

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Jason et Medee, Ballet Tragique
Soft ground etching, brown printing ink. :
Plate mark: 16 3/16 x 18 1/2 inches (422 x 48 mm.); Design: 16 11/16 x 19 1/16 inches (410 x 469 mm.)
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 1260
Published: 
[London] : John Boydell, engraver in Cheapside London, Published July 2, 1781.
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Inscription: 

Ink manuscript lower left corner '2/6' and a pencil signature lower left corner.

Notes: 

Watermark: Unknown.
There are no print on the verso of page ii.

Summary: 

Design in an oval. Gaetano Vestris as Jason between two ladies of the ballet. He staggers back, with an expression of horror facing Medea (right), who clutches a dagger. Behind him (left) the danseuse, in the role of Creusa, appears about to swoon. The dresses are interesting examples of theatrical costume. Jason wears a toupet wig, a tunic with a jewelled star on the breast, a cloak, and elaborately puffed trunk-hose. The ladies wear wide hooped and flounced petticoats, their hair dressed in a high pyramid with feathers. The background is architectural, at the back a high archway leads to a balcony backed by trees. Below the level of the stage and in the foreground are the heads and shoulders of three members of the orchestra, one (centre) plays a flute, the others play oboes. Below the design a line of music is engraved. See British Museum online catalog.

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