An Old Encore at the Opera
This print shows John Stewart, 7th Earl of Galloway, at his long-standing, favorite occupation, attending the Opera. The Gentleman's Magazine quoted in the British Museum commentary on this print suggests that he was "generally to be found... in the pit, close to the orchestra, loud in applause of any favorite performer." But a list of the "Subscribers to the Boxes at the King's Theatre, 1789 shows, in fact, that the Earl had a seat in the very first box next to the stage on the King's side of the house. (Cf. the link below.) And this is indeed more consistent what we see here.
© Trustees of the British Museum
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The print is likely based on a drawing or painting by an amateur (I.L.R pinx.). There is an awkwardness about the arms that Gillray wouldn't have let stand as an artist. And if indeed this is is showing Galloway in his box, his eyes would be directed on a level or downwards, not up. Inspired by Galloway's truly unique face, however, Gillray, created a second, truer portrait caricature of Earl Galloway, A Scotch Poney, Commonly Call'd a Galloway and this time there is no mistaking Gillray's hand in both the design and the execution.
Sources and Reading
- Commentary from the British Museum on An Old Encore at the Opera.
- "John Stewart, 7th Earl of Galloway," Wikipedia
- "List of Subscribers," La Vendemmia. A new comic opera in two acts
- Thomas Wright and R.H. Evans, Historical and Descriptive Account of the Caricatures of James Gillray #564.
- Thomas Wright and Joseph Grego, The Works of James Gillray, the Caricaturist; With the History of His Life and Times, p. 307.
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