Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.11057
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Caricature of Cromwell Mortimer
Date
ca. 1745
Creator
Rigou, Engraver
After
William Hogarth (1697 - 1764, British) , Painter
Object type
Library reference
24603
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 222mm
width (print): 133mm
width (print): 133mm
Subject
Description
Interior scene in which Cromwell Mortimer dozes at a table while a fool holds a peacock feather above his head. Although anonymous, the identity of this satirical study is clear from the twin portraits on the wall behind, labelled “Cromwell” and “Mortimer”. Various books are shelved behind, including “Sr I: Newton no Philosopher” and “on the Itch”. Other volumes by scientists are scattered on the floor: “Barrow”, “Boyle” etc., and Mortimer’s foot rests on “Newton”. On the table is an owl holding an inkwell in its beak and illustrated papers marked “Phi.Tran” [Mortimer edited the Royal Society’s Philosophical Transactions] “on Buggs” and “Arbot vitae”.
The print has been trimmed, removing part of the original title couplet from the top:
“Here Folly, Ignorance, and Pride, Combine,
To prove Him of the true Duncean Line,”
Inscribed poem, below:
“Studious he Sate, with all his books around,
Sinking, from thought to thought, a vast profound!
Plung’d for his sence, but found no bottom there;
Then writ, & flounder’d on, in mere despair.
Thr’o Luna Veil’d one, truly D U we see,
Nor fear to tell that Mortimer is He.
Pope.”
Inscribed below in pencil: “Cromwell Mortimer, MD”. The engraver inscription “Rigou, sculp” has been trimmed.
The print has been trimmed, removing part of the original title couplet from the top:
“Here Folly, Ignorance, and Pride, Combine,
To prove Him of the true Duncean Line,”
Inscribed poem, below:
“Studious he Sate, with all his books around,
Sinking, from thought to thought, a vast profound!
Plung’d for his sence, but found no bottom there;
Then writ, & flounder’d on, in mere despair.
Thr’o Luna Veil’d one, truly D U we see,
Nor fear to tell that Mortimer is He.
Pope.”
Inscribed below in pencil: “Cromwell Mortimer, MD”. The engraver inscription “Rigou, sculp” has been trimmed.
Associated place