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

Image not available
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
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2101
Published: 
[London] : G. Humphrey, 1819
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.

Artist page: 
Classification: 
Department: