THE COFFEE-HOUSE

Date1781

After work by Henry William Bunbury (1750 - 1811)

Engraver William Dickinson

MediumHand colored etching with stipple and aquatint

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1954-697

DescriptionUpper right corner reads: "N.o 12"
"Lower margin reads: "H. Bunbury Esq.r Delin.t/ THE COFFEE-HOUSE./ W. Dickinson Excud.t/ LONDON Publish'd Oct.r 15: 1781 by / W. Dickinson N.o 158 New Bond Street."
Label TextThis print is another version of 1974-638. It depicts the interior of a London coffeehouse as men read the newspaper in the "Extraordinary Gazette" dated February 13, 1781 that the island of St. Eustatius was taken by captured by the British only to discover that English merchants had utilized the island as a place to trade with the Americans during the Revolution. Due to English blockades on goods, the Dutch-controlled island of St. Eustatius was an important trading location for American military supplies and goods during the American Revolution. The standing figure to the right holding the back of a settle is thought to represent radical politician and supporter of American independence John Wilkes.

Man standing in center wears green coat, pink waistcoat, white breeches, reads newpaper to dismayed man in red coat and another in blue coat while 4 men about table at right listen; at left man seated at table holding knife and fork, and looking up with dismay from plate of food. Background of pale blue wall, folding screen, parrot and cage and large clock dial.