3-039-206 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The Critics," by Carl Hoff, 1871. Engraving of a painting. 'The mistress of the house has been sitting for her portrait. The sitting is now over, but she has left her fan on the chair which has been placed on the artist's "throne" to the left. Both sitter and artist have doubtless now left the house; and so, taking advantage of their absence, all the domestics of the establishment - from the bewigged steward in his gorgeous livery to the sleek-headed page, cook, housemaid, and lady's-maid - come to pass their critical judgment on the performance. The verdict is apparently favourable in two cases; and it is an important point for the artist that these include the lady's-maid - at least, so it seems from the pleasure she derives from inspecting the picture, telescope-fashion, through her hand. The housemaid is slower in recognising the likeness, and the page is too stolid to have yet formed any critical opinion. Much depends, however, on the decision of the steward or butler...Accordingly he sits down, composing himself solemnly like a judge on the bench, and resolutely clamps his lips not to commit himself incautiously'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.