Description:
Hand-colored print with two men and a woman, all of whom look extremely unhappy, seated at a dining table with the man with white hair in the center holding a carving knife and fork ready to carve the fish that the butler/servant is bringing to the table and a woman servant comes through the doorway carrying additional smaller fish, which is inscribed at bottom: "FASTING AT LENT. JEUNER dans le CAREME" and "Printed for & Sold by Carington Bowles." "616" "Published as the Act directs, 20 Feby 1792" and "No. 69 St. Pauls Church Yard, LONDON." This scene is based on a design by artist Henry Wigstead (c.1745-1800). Representing the third generation of publishers, print and map sellers, Carington Bowles (1724-1793) worked with his father, John Bowles (1701-1779), in Cornhill until 1764 when he took over the firm vacated by his uncle, Thomas Bowles (1695-1767) in St. Paul's Churchyard, which he lead for thirty years until his death in 1793 when his son Henry continued under the partnership of Bowles & Carver. Therle Hughes notes that Bowles is considered blameworthy for habit of not issuing the name of the designer or engraver of prints. A number of anonymous mezzotints, in monochrome and heavily covered came from this source. Christians observe the season of Lent (the 40 weekdays between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday), Christians observe this time as a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter. Meat is usually forbidden, especially on Fridays, and fasting is required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On a fast day one abstained from all meat and ate only one small meal. This satirical print lampoons a group of English diners who are finally getting to break their fast with a bountiful supply of fish dishes. (The British were notorious for their love of roast beef.) The table is set with plates, small hexagonal condiment dishes, wine glasses, cutlery, salt and pepper shakers, a large scalloped-shaped tureen with cover, bottle of madiera, and a plate with a large flounder. The sideboard in the background has two more glasses and two bottles, one brandy and one port.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+69.1332 |
