| Method | Mezzotint with hand colouring |
| Artist | after John Collet |
| Published | London: Publish'd as the Act directs, 15 May 1780, by Carington Bowles, No.69 St. Pauls Ch. Yard. |
| Dimensions | Image 135 x 110 mm, Plate 150 x 112 mm |
| Notes |
A smaller version of the mezzotint 'The Triple Plea' (B.M. Satires 3761). A satirical print of a cleryman, lawyer and doctor in a room, debating which of them has superiority in causing more harm to mankind. The clergyman stands on the left, facing the others, who sit at a table with their papers and books. Pictures on the wall show harpies feasting on a man, and a 'Wolf in Sheeps Clothing'. Inscription beneath image reads: Let Mankind live in peace and love, / The Lawyers tricks they need not prove, / Let them forbear excess and riot, / They need not feed on Doctor's diet. / Let them attend what God does teach, / They need not care what Parsons preach. / But if Men Fools and Knaves will be - They'll be Ass ridden by All Three. John Collet or Collett (c.1725-1780) was an English satirical artist. Born in London, he was a pupil of George Lambert, and studied at the St. Martin's Lane Academy. He exhibited with the Free Society of Artists between 1761 and 1783. His paintings often depicted Hogarthian scenes of debauchery, low life and social weakness. His work was popularised by Carington Bowles, Smith & Sayer, Boydell, and other well-known publishers. The British printer and publisher Carington Bowles (1724-1793) was the son of the printer John Bowles, to whom he was apprenticed in 1741. In 1752 until around 1762, they became a partnership known as John Bowles & Son, at the Black Horse, Cornhill, London. Carington left the partnership in order to take over the business of his uncle, Thomas Bowles II in St Paul's Churchyard. When Carington died in 1793 the business passed to his son Henry Carington Bowles. Condition: Small mark in image, above doctor's head. |
| Framing | mounted |
| Price | £220.00 |
| Stock ID | 21295 |