Strephon and Chloe

Bretherton, James (ca. 1730–1806)

Bunbury, Henry William (1750-1811) (after a work of)

Fores, S. W. (born 1761) (workshop of)

Item type:

print

Date of creation:

1801

Height:

25.5 cm  (10 1/16 in.)

Width:

33.2 cm  (13 1/16 in.)

(sheet dimensions); plate: 9 3/8 x 11 15/16 inches (23.8 x 30.3 cm), and image: 8 1/2 x 11 7/16 inches (21.6 x 29 cm)

Technique / Medium:

etching on medium, moderately textured, beige laid paper

Description

Caricature of figures from Jonathan Swift's poem "Strephon and Chloe." They are bowing to begin dancing together, but their exaggerated facial features and contrasting expressions are notable and hint at the less-than-refined language and imagery of the poem itself.

Iconclass

43C92
one pair dancing; man and woman dancing as a couple
41D
fashion, clothing
52AA511
Ridiculousness

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

Notes

Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering [from museum website]:
Inscribed in graphite, on back, lower left: "44568 (encircled)"

Lettered in black ink, lower left: "J. Bretherton f."; lower center: "No. 134. | Strephon & Chloe. | Pubd July 1 1801 by S. W. Fores 50 Piccdilly [sic]."; lower right: "Mr. Bunbury del."

RIdIM record id

6260