To the Gentlemen of the Ad Libitum Society, this Print of E.d Heardson their Cook is (with permission) dedicated by their obd.t. Humble Serv.t J. Barry.
Painted by I. Barry (Minature Painter). Engraved by J.R. Smith Mezzotinto Engraver to his R.H. the Prince of Wales.
Pub. as the Act directs by J. Barry [n.d., 1785].
Mezzotint, early state with title in open letters. 380 x 275mm (15 x 10¾"), with very large margins. Some creasing and scuffing.
A boxing image. Half-length portrait of Edward Heardson in chef's hat and wearing a the medallion of Sublime Society of Beef Steaks (with a gridiron motif), carving a joint. The society was founded in 1735 by John Rich, Theatre Manager of Covent Garden, when he and his chief set designer cooked steaks on a gridiron over a fireplace becaused they were too rushed to go for a proper dinner. Others joined in and the Sublime Society began, limited to twenty-four members who would meet weekly. Heardson, a former bare-knuckle boxer became cook in 1756. George, Prince of Wales became a member in 1785, the same year this portrait was published; as he was patron to John Raphael Smith the suggestion is that he commissioned it.
Frankau 170.I. CS:78..I. D'Oench 271.
[Ref: 60224] £240.00
Pub. as the Act directs by J. Barry [n.d., 1785].
Mezzotint, early state with title in open letters. 380 x 275mm (15 x 10¾"), with very large margins. Some creasing and scuffing.
A boxing image. Half-length portrait of Edward Heardson in chef's hat and wearing a the medallion of Sublime Society of Beef Steaks (with a gridiron motif), carving a joint. The society was founded in 1735 by John Rich, Theatre Manager of Covent Garden, when he and his chief set designer cooked steaks on a gridiron over a fireplace becaused they were too rushed to go for a proper dinner. Others joined in and the Sublime Society began, limited to twenty-four members who would meet weekly. Heardson, a former bare-knuckle boxer became cook in 1756. George, Prince of Wales became a member in 1785, the same year this portrait was published; as he was patron to John Raphael Smith the suggestion is that he commissioned it.
Frankau 170.I. CS:78..I. D'Oench 271.
[Ref: 60224] £240.00