Modern hospitality, or A friendly party in high life.

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Modern hospitality, or A friendly party in high life.
hand colored etching
image: 242 x 359 mm; plate: 250 x 359 mm; sheet: 262 x 368 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2771
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. March 31st, 1792 by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street, 1792.
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Above the design is etched 'The Knave wins all'; the title continues : 'To those earthly Divinities who charmed 20 Years ago, this Honorable method of banishing mortifying reflections, is dedicated. O Woman! Woman! everlasting is your power over us, for in youth you charm our Hearts, and in your after-years you charm away our Purses.'

Summary: 

A scene at a faro-table; part of the table stretches across the foreground, and players and spectators sit and stand behind it. Lady Archer is the most prominent; she holds a pack of cards in one hand, a knave in the other, looking with a triumphantly rapacious smile at a stout lady (Mrs. Hobart) who sits (right) clenching her fists and scowling back. All the others have expressions of alarm or concern, the least agitated being the Prince of Wales, seated on Lady Archer's left. On the extreme right and next Mrs. Hobart is Fox, turning up his eyes. The guests (except the Prince) are much caricatured; one of Gillray's witch-like hags sits between the Prince and Mrs. Hobart. On the table are heaps of coins, notes or bills, and rouleaux of guineas.

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