"Patience on a monument" : engraved from a modern antique in the possession of the General.

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James Gillray
1756-1815
"Patience on a monument" : engraved from a modern antique in the possession of the General.
etching
image: 303 x 200 mm; plate: 307 x 205 mm; sheet: 333 x 235 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2742
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. Septr. 19th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street, [1791]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

By James Gillray.
Verses within the design read: "By Patience, minds an equal temper know, "Nor swell too high, nor sink too low; "Patience the fiercest grief can charm, "And fate's severest rage disarm: "Patience can soften pain to ease, "And make despair and madness please "This the divine Cecilia found, "And to her Husbands ears, confind the sound." Vide St Cecilias Day.

Summary: 

The design simulates a pyramidal monument in bas relief against a stone wall, supported on short pilasters between which is an inscription. On the face of the pyramid Lady Cecilia Johnston, is seated on a round "close-stool". She is thin and witch-like, her chin is support by her left hand, the elbow resting on her knee. In her right hand is a torn paper inscribed 'Tranquility'. Behind the stool stands a little cupid holding his nose. On the ground are bones and two skulls which gaze at Lady Cecilia.

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