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Description: | Lethe was written by David Garrick and first produced at Drury Lane in 1740. The cast for the revival of Lethe put on by 'Command of Their Majesties' at Drury Lane Theatre, 1766 are those represented here. The play relates how Proserpine begged from Pluto the favour that humans might once a year be allowed to drink the waters of forgetfulness of the river Lethe. Aesop was to judge who were fit to receive them. Aesop is with an old man, one of the applicants and his servant. The old man, who wishes to forget that he will soon die and leave his money behind him, is much alarmed when Aesop offers to make him forget he has any money at all. The picture illustrates the following lines: The waters are of a wholesome nature - for they'll teach you to forget your money. Old Man: Will they so? - come, come, John, wer are got to the wrong place - The poor old fool here does not know what he says. Zoffany painted many theatrical scenes of well-known, recognisable actors actually performing favourite moments from plays. | Subjects: | portrait (Bransby William; Watkins); literature (Lethe by David Garrick) Astley; Parsons | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Zoffany, Johann (German painter, 1733-1810, active in England) Æ | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=9171... | Go to resource |
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