Box lobby loungers

Hand-colored caricature by Rowlandson after Wigstead, published Jan. 5, 1786. 'A crowded scene in a bare room giving access to the theatre, which is seen through two open doors (right), each showing two boxes, and a section of gallery above, filled with spectators. Courtesans and ladies are being inspected and addressed by the loungers. The centre figure is George Hanger in profile to the left, his club under his arm, arms folded, staring at a bold and handsome girl who stands with another pretty young woman. A man in deep shadow seizes Hanger's bunch of seals. Two elderly men address a fat bawd who holds a basket of fruit and playbills; a coin is placed in her hand. A misshapen elderly beau (not, as Grego suggests, Sir L. Skeffington, b. 1771), looking through a quizzing-glass, steps on an irate lady's dress (right). On the wall is a large playbill: 'Theatre Royal Covent Garden / Way of the World / Who's the Dupe'. The room is lit from bracket lamps high on the right wall, diagonal shadows are thrown across the room, some of the figures are brilliantly lit, others in shadow'. -- British Museum Hand-colored caricature by Rowlandson after Wigstead, published Jan. 5, 1786. 'A crowded scene in a bare room giving access to the theatre, which is seen through two open doors (right), each showing two boxes, and a section of gallery above, filled with spectators. Courtesans and ladies are being inspected and addressed by the loungers. The centre figure is George Hanger in profile to the left, his club under his arm, arms folded, staring at a bold and handsome girl who stands with another pretty young woman. A man in deep shadow seizes Hanger's bunch of seals. Two elderly men address a fat bawd who holds a basket of fruit and playbills; a coin is placed in her hand. A misshapen elderly beau (not, as Grego suggests, Sir L. Skeffington, b. 1771), looking through a quizzing-glass, steps on an irate lady's dress (right). On the wall is a large playbill: 'Theatre Royal Covent Garden / Way of the World / Who's the Dupe'. The room is lit from bracket lamps high on the right wall, diagonal shadows are thrown across the room, some of the figures are brilliantly lit, others in shadow'. -- British Museum Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; soiled.