Pizarro comtemplating over the product of his new peruvian mine - / Js. Gillray, inv: & ft.
[London] : Pubd. June 4th 1799. by Humphrey, 27 St James's Street, [1799]
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Sheridan stands on the stage dressed as Pizarro (played by Barrymore), gloating over guineas with which his helmet is filled. On the right is a flat consisting of a palm-tree with golden fruit, on the left columns wreathed with roses and decorated with theatrical emblems: tragic masks and spirals of cupids who blow Fame's trumpet, each holding a placard: 'Oracle Puff p ..'; 'Morning Chronicle Puff Puff Puff'; 'Morning Herald Puff' [&c, &c]; 'Courier' [&c, &c, cf. BMSat 9194]; 'Times' [&c, &c.]. In the background is mountain scenery with the mouth of the cave. Below the title: "Honor? Reputation? a mere Bubble! - will the praises of posterity charm my bones in the Grave? - 'psha! - my present \ "purpose is all! - O, Gold! Gold! for thee, I would sell my native Spain, as freely as I would plunder Peru." Cf. British Museum online catalog.
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.