George Beare Portrait of unknown woman called Peg Woffington ca. 1740-49 oil on canvas Yale Center for British Art |
Maskwell: I have so contrived that Mellefont will presently in the Chaplain's habit wait for Cynthia in your Dressing-Room; but I have put the change upon her, that she may be otherwise employed – do you procure her Night-Gown and with your Hoods tied over your face meet him in her stead, you may go privately by the back Stairs, and unperceived, there you may propose to reinstate him in his Uncle's favour, if he'll comply with your desires; his Case is desperate, and I believe he'll yield to any Conditions – if not, here take this; you may employ it better.
Gives the dagger.
Lady Touchwood: Thou can'st deceive every body – nay, thou hast deceived me, but 'tis as I would wish – trusty Villain! I could worship thee.
Maskwell: No more, there want but a few Minutes of the time; and Mellefont's Love will carry him there before his hour.
Lady Touchwood: I go, I fly, incomparable Maskwell.
Exit.
– from The Double-Dealer by William Congreve (1670-1729)
George Beare Portrait of an elderly lady and a girl 1747 oil on canvas Yale Center for British Art |
Jean-Baptiste Perronneau Portrait of Charles-François Pinceloup de la Grange 1747 oil on canvas Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
Jean-Baptiste Perronneau Portrait of Magdaleine Pinceloup de la Grange, née de Parseval 1747 oil on canvas Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
Jean-Marc Nattier Portrait of Madame Constance-Gabrielle-Magdeleine Bonnier de la Mosson as Diana 1742 oil on canvas Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
Jean-Marc Nattier Miniature portrait of César-François Cassini de Thury ca. 1750 watercolor on ivory Walters Art Museum, Baltimore |
Jean-Baptiste Van Loo Portrait of The Rt. Honourable Stephen Poyntz of Midgeham, Berkshire 1740 oil on canvas Yale Center for British Art |
Nicolas Lancret Portrait of the actor Grandval ca. 1742 oil on canvas Indianapolis Museum of Art |
Fra Galgario Portrait of a Knight of the Costantinian Order ca. 1740 oil on canvas Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan |
Jean-François de Troy Before the Ball 1735 oil on canvas Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
SONG
Cynthia frowns when e're I Woo her,
Yet she's vext if I give over;
Much she fears I should undo her,
But much more, to lose her Lover:
Thus, in doubting, she refuses;
And not Winning, thus she loses.
Prithee Cynthia look behind you,
Age and Wrinckles will o'retake you;
Then too late, desire will find you,
When the power does forsake you:
Think, O think o'th' sad Condition,
To be past, yet wish Fruition.
– from The Double-Dealer by William Congreve (1670-1729)
Hyacinthe Rigaud Portrait of Gio. Francesco II Brignole-Sale 1739 oil on canvas Musei di Strada Nuova, Genoa |
Joseph Highmore Portrait of a lady 1734 oil on canvas Dulwich Picture Gallery, London |
Joseph Highmore A Family Conversation-piece ca. 1730-35 oil on canvas Yale Center for British Art |
Carl Fredrik Svan The Stenbock family in their library at Rånäs ca. 1740 oil on canvas Skokloster Castle, Sweden |