Lords of the Bedchamber

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Thomas Rowlandson
1756-1827
Lords of the Bedchamber
etching
image: 210 x 324 mm; plate mark: 260 x 360 mm; sheet: 234 x 324 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2467
Published: 
[London] : published by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand, April 14, 1784.
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Title from item.
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue and Grego.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

The Duchess of Devonshire (right), in morning cap and gown, makes tea for Fox and Sam House who sit side by side on a sofa (left). The duchess leans back in her chair, one hand on the tap of the urn, while she hands a cup to a footman who stands with a tray. Sam (left) has been served first; he sits stirring his tea and gazing adoringly at Fox (right), who playfully pats his bald head. A spaniel stands in front of them, begging. On the wall behind are two freely sketched whole length portraits: behind the duchess is Reynolds's portrait of her husband standing by his horse (as in British Museum Satires No. 6546), the other is over the heads of House and Fox. Cf. British Museum online catalog.

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