A CHOP-HOUSE.

DateOctober 15, 1781

After work by Henry William Bunbury (1750 - 1811)

Publisher William Dickinson

OriginEngland, London

MediumStippled engraving with etching

DimensionsOH: 12 3/4" x OW: 14 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1951-431

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "A CHOP-HOUSE./ H. Bunbury Esq.r delin.t/ W. Dickinson Excudit/ LONDON, Publish'd Oct.r 15.th, by W. Dickinson N.o 158 New Bond Street"
Label TextThe interior of the chop-house is shown. At a small square table an elderly man with a bushy wig sits facing a younger man. The older man is identified on the British Museum copy as Dr. Samuel Johnson, much caricatured. His vis-a-vis is evidently supposed to be James Boswell. The Johnson figure is intent on his plate; Boswell rests his elbows on the table, holding knife and fork up, as he peers at Johnson. A cutlet bone protrudes from his mouth. Two dogs looks up at the table with great expectations. A waiter brings in another dish from a back area. At another table, a man not yet served sits reading a newspaper. Behind him, a man in back-view stands looking at himself in an oval wall-mirror.