A Cognocenti Contemplating ye Beauties of ye Antique

James Gillray|Hannah Humphrey

February 11, 1801 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

Sir William Hamilton formed a collection of ancient art while serving as British ambassador to Naples and Gillray shows him examining a bust of Lais, a Greek courtesan whose face resembles Emma, Hamilton's wife. Much younger than her husband, she had first become his mistress and entertained guests by performing "Attitudes" that imitated antique sculptures–evoked here by a headless Bacchante holding grapes. The small weeping Cupid refers to Lady Hamilton's famous love affair with Admiral Horatio Nelson which began in Naples around 1799. Hamilton remained on cordial terms with both his wife and Nelson and, when this print appeared, all three had recently traveled back to London together. Gillray comments on the notorious relationship through pictures on the back wall that are titled "Cleopatra," "Mark Anthony" and "Claudius," while the love affair that began in Naples is evoked by a smoking Mount Etna.

Artist

James Gillray|Hannah Humphrey

Date

February 11, 1801

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Jill Spalding, 2022