A Consultation of Physicians, or The Company of Undertakers
Date:
1736
Materials & Techniques:
Etching and engraving on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 10 3/8 × 7 1/4 inches (26.4 × 18.4 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image, lower center: "ET PLURIMA MORTIS IMAGO"; below image, lower center: "The Company of Undertakers | Beareth Sable, an Urinal proper, between 12 Quack-Heads of the second & 12 Cane Heads Or, Consul- | -tant. On a *Chief **Nebulae, Ermine, One Compleat Doctor issuant, checkie sustaining in his | Right Hand a Baton of the second. On his Dexter & sinister sides two Demi-Doctors, issuant | of the second, & two Cane Heads issuant of the third; The first having One Eye conchant, to- | wards the Dexter Side of the Escocheon; the Second Faced per pale proper & Gules, Guardent. -- | With this Motto --- Et Plurima Mortis Imago. | *A Chief betokeneth a Senatour or Honourable Personage, borrowed from the Greeks, & is a Word signifying a Head; & as the Head is the Chief Part in a Man, so the Chief in the Escocheon should | be a Reward of such only, whose High Merites have procured them Chief Place, Esteem, or Love amonst Men. Guillim. | ** The bearing of Clouds in Armes (saith Upton) doth import some Excellencie. | Publish'd by W. Hogarth March the 3d. 1736"; lower right: "Price Six pence"
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection