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P1154
Prints: P1154
Title
Paul Pry's Extracan-ary Peep into Piccadillo
Subject
Artist
Heath, Henry
Date
1826
Other materials
Hand coloured etching
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Professor Jim Davis, acquired by the Garrick Club in 2024
Other number
E0162
This satirical print depicts the comic actor John Liston in one of his most popular roles, that of Paul Pry. Paul Pry is a nosey busy body usually depicted in a pale blue tail coat, white hat, striped trousers, black boots, spectacles and an umbrella. The umbrella he often deliberately leaves behind, so that he may have an excuse to go back to retrieve it and evesdrop. His catch phrase was "I hope I don't intrude". In this print, of 1826 the illustrator has imagined Paul Pry peeking into one of the infamous relationship scandals of that time - that of Lady Strachan and the Marquess of Hertford. In the room that Paul Pry has entered, we see Lord Hertford and Lady Strachan at a table. Lord Hertford looks angrily at Paul Pry calling him a "Damn intruder". On the table is a pamphlet entitled "All for all, Ruling Passion". On the floor is a discarded pamphlet entitled "Essay on Gambling". The Marquess of Hertford was a well known gambler.
Lady Strachan was married to the Naval Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan who had fought in the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars. His portrait behind Paul Pry has been covered up with a hat, suggesting he does not know what is going on. Lady Strachan, was also said to have had an affair with a women, Sarah Elizabeth Greville, Countess of Warwick,wife of Tory politician Henry Greville. His brother Richard Greville was also a polician who was up for election against the Marquess in the year 1826. This forthcoming election and the insinuation that Lady Strachan's affections are possibly conflicted between her female lover's brother in law and her current lover. The reference that Paul Pry makes about "minding the lee shore, don't sink the Admiral" refers to Lady Strachan's husband.
Lady Strachan was married to the Naval Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan who had fought in the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars. His portrait behind Paul Pry has been covered up with a hat, suggesting he does not know what is going on. Lady Strachan, was also said to have had an affair with a women, Sarah Elizabeth Greville, Countess of Warwick,wife of Tory politician Henry Greville. His brother Richard Greville was also a polician who was up for election against the Marquess in the year 1826. This forthcoming election and the insinuation that Lady Strachan's affections are possibly conflicted between her female lover's brother in law and her current lover. The reference that Paul Pry makes about "minding the lee shore, don't sink the Admiral" refers to Lady Strachan's husband.
