Print made by James Gillray, 1756–1815, BritishPublished by Hannah Humphrey, ca. 1745–1818, British
Title:
Ornaments of Chelsea Hospital; or - A Peep Into the Last Century ---
Date:
1789
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, hand-colored
Dimensions:
Sheet: 10 x 10 3/4in. (25.4 x 27.3cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image, upper center: "Ornaments of Chelsea Hospital; or a Peep into the Last Century."; lettered below image, lower center: "Epitaph on the late Dr. Monsey, supposed to be written by himself. | 'Here lie my old limbs - my vexation now ends, | For I've liv'd much too long for myself & my friends | As to church yards & grounds which the Parsons call holy, | Tis a rank piece of of priestcraft, & founded on folly; | In short, I despise them; and as for my soul, | Which may mount the last day with my bones from this hole | I think that it really hath nothing to fear | From the God of mankind, whom I truly revere | What the next world may be, little troubles my pate | If not better than this, I beseech thee, Oh! Fate, | When the bodies of millions fly up in a riot, | To let the old carcase of Monsley lie quiet.' | Peter Pindar." | "Pubd. Jany. 19th, 1789. by H. Humphrey, New Bond St."
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection