MARCELLUS LAROON THE YOUNGER (1679-1772)
A Musical Tea Party
Signed and dated 1740RCIN 403544
This is a levée. A lady in fashionable undress is attended by ‘suitors’- professionals seeking work, relations seeking favours, as well as her friends. Two musicians play for her; a fat clergyman pursues a lady; a scowling thug, with black scars on his face, perhaps offers his services as a fencing-master. A slave boy works while a pampered lapdog reclines on a cushion.