The Gamesters.[&] The Fortune Tellers.
Painted by the Rev.d Mr: Peters R.A. Engraved by William Ward.
London Published May 22.nd 1786 by J.R. Smith No. 83 Oxford Street.
Pair of mezzotints. Plates: 420 x 440mm (16½ x 17¼''). Trimmed to margins or thread margins, marking and creasing.
A pair of scenes of cheating. The first shows two men playing cards as a third man pretends to help one player while holding up three fingers the other of his opponant's hand. The two players have been identified as Lord Courtenay (the mark) and Thomas Rowlandson (the cheat). The second scene shows an opulently-dressed young woman having her palm read while a young accomplice smiles over her shoulder. The artist is Matthew William Peters (1742-1814), most famous for his provocative painting of a courtesan (known as 'Lydia' in the mezzotint copy). He came to regret his choice of subject, as he was ordained in 1781, becoming the Royal Academy's chaplain (1784-8), then chaplain to the Prince of Wales.
CS 97 & CS 186.
[Ref: 48974] £780.00
London Published May 22.nd 1786 by J.R. Smith No. 83 Oxford Street.
Pair of mezzotints. Plates: 420 x 440mm (16½ x 17¼''). Trimmed to margins or thread margins, marking and creasing.
A pair of scenes of cheating. The first shows two men playing cards as a third man pretends to help one player while holding up three fingers the other of his opponant's hand. The two players have been identified as Lord Courtenay (the mark) and Thomas Rowlandson (the cheat). The second scene shows an opulently-dressed young woman having her palm read while a young accomplice smiles over her shoulder. The artist is Matthew William Peters (1742-1814), most famous for his provocative painting of a courtesan (known as 'Lydia' in the mezzotint copy). He came to regret his choice of subject, as he was ordained in 1781, becoming the Royal Academy's chaplain (1784-8), then chaplain to the Prince of Wales.
CS 97 & CS 186.
[Ref: 48974] £780.00