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Notes
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The subject of the present watercolour is taken from Jonathan Swift's 'Directions to Servants', a satirical essay, offering absurd advice to servants. It was unfinished on Swift's death and published posthumously in 1745 and must have provided much inspiration to Rowlandson. The subject was engraved in 1807 and published with the following lines: 'Take off the largest dishes and set them on with one hand to show the ladies your vigour and strength of back, but always do it between / two ladies, that if the dish happens to slip, the soup or sauce may fall on their clothes, and not daub the floor. By this practice, two of our brethren, my worthy friends, got considerable fortunes / When you carry up a dish of meat, dip your fingers in the sauce or lick it with your tongue to try whether it be good and fit for your master's table'.
The Schorr Collection
London
Title
Directions to Footman
Medium
pencil, pen, ink & watercolour
Measurements
H 29.8 x W 23.2 cm
Accession number
ARTUK16
Work type
Drawing
Signature/marks description
watermark: JWHATMAN
The Schorr Collection
Head Office, Catherine House, 76 Gloucester Place, London, Greater London W1U 6HJ England
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