George Cruikshank
Tailor in the High Wind – or – L’Embarras des Richesses
London, G. Humphrey March 31st. 1819
Etching
Original hand colouring
260 x 210 mm
£280
Below the title:’ — Drawn from the Life on the Cliff Brighton.’ A burlesqued tailor with a huge paunch and small legs stands in profile to the left, facing a gale and rain, encumbered with a little girl clinging to his neck, and by a large roll of cloth under the right arm; he tries to open his umbrella, having placed his cane between his legs; tied to the handle in a handkerchief are books of patterns, which are blowing away, like his wig, hat, and the child’s bonnet; his coat, with tape-measure, streams behind him. Sea-gulls swoop towards him. A wind-swept dog turns its tail to the wind, cowering in terror. Behind are rails along the cliff and (below) the sea; three storm-tossed ships in full sail show how sudden was the squall. Below the title five lines from Byron’s ‘Bride of Abydos —’ beginning: ‘Though rising gale & breaking foam . . BM 13435
From the collection of Dr. C.S. Warren, Descendant of Dr. Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame.
