Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E , Case I, Shelf 92A

As it Ought to Be- or- The Ladies Trying a Contemptible Scoundrel for a 'Breach of Promise'.

Print
1849 (drawn), 1850 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Etching, hand-coloured by the artist. The first proof of a satirical court room scene with a large group of 'ladies trying a contemptible scoundrel'. The man looks shamefacedly at the floor as a court room comprised of female judges and court artists, alongside a female jury, try him for 'a breach of promise'. Various other male figures sit in the gallery looking on with expressions of worry and surprise. The lady presumed to have been wronged by the accused is seated close to him and is being revived by smelling salts. On the wall behind the jury is written 'Prosecutrix's Boudoir', 'Tea Room', and 'Coffee Room', whilst behind the defendant is written 'Visitors Gallery' and 'The Papas and Mamas Box'. Lettered with title and artist's name, publishing details etc.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAs it Ought to Be- or- The Ladies Trying a Contemptible Scoundrel for a 'Breach of Promise'. (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Etching coloured by hand
Brief description
Hand-coloured etching by George Cruikshank depicting the first proof of a court room scene with a large group of caricatured 'ladies trying a contemptible scoundrel'. Great Britain, 1849.
Physical description
Etching, hand-coloured by the artist. The first proof of a satirical court room scene with a large group of 'ladies trying a contemptible scoundrel'. The man looks shamefacedly at the floor as a court room comprised of female judges and court artists, alongside a female jury, try him for 'a breach of promise'. Various other male figures sit in the gallery looking on with expressions of worry and surprise. The lady presumed to have been wronged by the accused is seated close to him and is being revived by smelling salts. On the wall behind the jury is written 'Prosecutrix's Boudoir', 'Tea Room', and 'Coffee Room', whilst behind the defendant is written 'Visitors Gallery' and 'The Papas and Mamas Box'. Lettered with title and artist's name, publishing details etc.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17cm
  • Width: 43cm
Dimensions taken from Miller, Elizabeth. Hand Coloured British Prints. London: Published by Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1987.
Marks and inscriptions
  • As it Ought to Be- or- The Ladies Trying a Contemptible Scoundrel for a 'Breach of Promise'
  • Designed and Etched by Geoe Cruikshank, Hythe 1849/Published Jany 1st 1850 by D. Bogue, 86 Fleet Street
  • First proof. colored as a pattern by George Cruikshank (Signed in pencil, gone over in ink)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Elizabeth Cruikshank
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
Miller, Elizabeth. Hand Coloured British Prints. London: Published by Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1987.
Collection
Accession number
9712:2

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest