Cheyt-syngs, ghost

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Cheyt-syngs, ghost
etching, hand colored
image: 226 x 336 mm; plate mark: 247 x 349 mm; sheet: 258 x 365 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 1600
Published: 
[London] : Pubd May 9 1788 by S W Fores N° 3 Piccadilly, [May 9, 1788].
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

"A generalized attack on Hastings relating to the first or Benares charge of the impeachment. The rope round the raja's neck suggests that he has been confused with Nandakumar."--BM online catalog.

Summary: 

Print shows Hastings (right) shrinking in terror at the apparition of Chait Singh (left) who emerges from clouds, a rope round his neck, his left hand raised threateningly; they stand on opposite sides of a rectangular table covered with a fringed cloth, behind which sits a lady reading a book which lies on the table, entitled "The State of India", her dress and large feathered hat heavily decked with jewels; Hastings, who wears oriental dress with a jewelled turban, has overturned his chair, and two Indian servants (right) stand behind Hastings; in the center of the wall, behind the lady, are shelves on which are money-bags, some inscribed "Rupees" and "Pagod[as]", jewels, and a large turban inscribed "Cheyt Syng".

Classification: 
Department: