The SPENDTHRIFT

Date1793-1832

Engraver Richard Houston (1721-1775)

After work by Robert Pyle

Publisher Samuel Carver 1756 - 1841

Publisher Henry Carington Bowles 1763 - 1830

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving with hand color

DimensionsOverall: 14 1/2 × 10 5/8in. (36.8 × 27cm)
Other (Plate): 14 × 10in. (35.6 × 25.4cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1967-338

DescriptionLower margin: "R. Pyle Pinx.t / R. Houston fecit. / The SPENDTHRIFT. / Deaf to his aged Sire's advice, With many a horrid Oath and Curse, / And biggotted to Cards and Dice, He loudly waits his empty Purse. / 190. Printed for BOWLES & CARVER, Map & Printfellers, N.o 69 in S.t Paul's Church Yard, LONDON."Label TextA man with utter misery and defeat written on his face, sits alone at a table. On the table are his hat, a burned down candle with only a drift of smoke to suggest light still present, an overturned punch bowl and a glass. Also seen are a spread deck of cards, an empty purse and broken pipe. Behind on the wall is an ornate clock with hands turned to a quarter of five. The night of gambling and drinking is over, leaving the man destitute.Mark(s)Printed for Bowles & Carver, Map & Printsellers, No 69 in St Paul's Church Yard London.ProvenanceBefore 1967, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1967-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).