A meticulous rendering of an old woman, seated, smoking, among her pets, and surrounded by a circular frieze of 30 heads of high
1820 · London
by Cruikshank, Isaac Robert (1789-1856)
London, 1820. A meticulous rendering of an old woman, seated, smoking, among her pets, and surrounded by a circular frieze of 30 heads of highly diverse individuals (plus a full-length Cupid): young lovers, soldier, miser, judge, mortician, farmer, sailor, squire, singing lady, scold, dandy, toper, etc., as well as several attractive young women. There is also a "temple of love", and a lovers' maze. In the corners are elaborate curtains, a decorated confection, decanters of spirits and a display of fruits. Across the top is the legend, lightly sketched in pencil, CAFE BURNS CHARACTERS. 1 vols. Image 7 x 7-3/4 inches, matted and framed to 11-3/4 x 12-1/2 inches overall. Some light soiling, mostly marginal, otherwise fine, and attractive. A meticulous rendering of an old woman, seated, smoking, among her pets, and surrounded by a circular frieze of 30 heads of highly diverse individuals (plus a full-length Cupid): young lovers, soldier, miser, judge, mortician, farmer, sailor, squire, singing lady, scold, dandy, toper, etc., as well as several attractive young women. There is also a "temple of love", and a lovers' maze. In the corners are elaborate curtains, a decorated confection, decanters of spirits and a display of fruits. Across the top is the legend, lightly sketched in pencil, CAFE BURNS CHARACTERS. 1 vols. Image 7 x 7-3/4 inches, matted and framed to 11-3/4 x 12-1/2 inches overall. A Superb Social Satire by Robert Cruikshank, Ca. 1820. Isaac Robert Cruikshank, son of Isaac and elder brother of the more famous George, was a caricaturist, illustrator and (particularly apropos of the picture offered here) portrait miniaturist. His first caricatures appeared around 1810 and were often produced in conjunction with his brother Geroge, with whom he shared a studio. Notes Bryant and Heneage, "Of his [Robert's] social satires, those he made of the dandies and the fashion for 'hobby horses' in the early 1820s are among the most attractive." We are pleased to be able to offer a fine example of this genre. Bryant & Heneage, Dictionary of British Cartoonists and Caricaturists, p. 52 (Inventory #: 220481)