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English gentleman writing a begging letter in a decrepit
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English gentleman writing a begging letter in a decrepit
English gentleman writing a begging letter in a decrepit parlour with lawyer and loanshark looking on. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after an illustration by Thomas Rowlandson from William Combes The Dance of Life, Rudolph Ackermann, London, 1817
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Media ID 23389596
© Florilegius
Ackermann Bankruptcy Bedroom Begging Combe Debt Decrepit Fireplace Gentleman Letter Maid Nightgown Prodigal Regency Rowlandson Rudolph Salvation Servant Tending
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Desperate Plea for Mercy: An English Gentleman's Agonizing Moment in the Grip of Debt and Bankruptcy This evocative handcoloured copperplate engraving, created by Thomas Rowlandson and published by Rudolph Ackermann in 1817 as part of William Combe's "The Dance of Life," offers a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities of debt and bankruptcy during the Regency era in England. The scene unfolds in a decrepit, dimly lit parlor, where an English gentleman, dressed in a nightgown and cap, is hunched over a table, pen in hand, as he composes a heartfelt begging letter. The weight of his circumstances is palpable, as he looks up in anguish, his eyes pleading with the two onlookers - a stern-faced lawyer and a menacing loanshark. The gentleman's once-proud family, now reduced to a state of despair, is further illustrated by the servant and maid in the background, tending to the fireplace, their expressions a mix of sympathy and resignation. The gentleman's prodigal past is evident in the disarray of the room, with broken furniture, peeling wallpaper, and a tattered carpet. The once-proud Englishman now stands on the precipice of ruin, his salvation resting on the mercy of those before him. The intricately detailed handcoloured engraving, with its rich hues and nuanced shading, transports us back to the Regency era, offering a stark reminder of the human cost of debt and financial misfortune. The caricature, with its satirical undertones, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of fortune and the harsh realities of life during this time.
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