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Dr. Johnson in the Ante-Room of Lord Chesterfield, Waiting for an Audience, 1748
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Dr. Johnson in the Ante-Room of Lord Chesterfield, Waiting for an Audience, 1748
Dr. Johnson in the Ante-Room of Lord Chesterifeld, Waiting for an Audience, 1748, (1845), (c1950). Painting in the Tate Gallery, London. The Great Cham is seen in an unwelcome role: waiting for an interview with his patron, Lord Chesterfield, Secretary of State, who is seen through the far door. Such experiences of much hated servility casued him to give in his famous Dictionary the definition of a Patron as: Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery. Cham, an old form of khan, was meant to suggest that Johnson ruled over the realm of letters like an oriental despot. From The Outline of Literature, edited by John Drinkwater. [George Newnes Limited, London, c1950]
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Media ID 15515584
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
1950s 4th Earl Of Chesterfield Chesterfield Doctor Johnson Dr Johnson Dr Samuel Dr Samuel Johnson Earl Of Chesterfield Edward Matthew Edward Matthew Ward Fifties Johnson Matthew Ward Philip Dormer Stanhope Samuel Samuel Johnson Stanhope Waiting Ward Lord Chesterfield Philip Dormer Philip Stanhope
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the iconic figure of Dr. Samuel Johnson in an unexpected and somewhat uncomfortable situation. In this portrayal titled "Dr. Johnson in the Ante-Room of Lord Chesterfield, Waiting for an Audience, 1748" we witness the renowned writer waiting patiently in Lord Chesterfield's ante-room for a long-awaited audience with his patron. The painting, housed at the Tate Gallery in London, depicts Dr. Johnson as a man caught between his intellectual prowess and societal expectations. Through the far door, we catch a glimpse of Lord Chesterfield himself, adding to the tension and anticipation surrounding this encounter. It is worth noting that such experiences of servility deeply affected Dr. Johnson's perspective on patrons, leading him to define them acerbically in his famous Dictionary: "Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence and is paid with flattery". The term "Cham" used here was meant to emphasize how he ruled over the realm of letters like an oriental despot. This image serves as a powerful reminder of both Dr. Johnson's literary greatness and his struggles within British society during the 18th century. It encapsulates not only his personal journey but also reflects broader themes of power dynamics and social hierarchies prevalent during that era. Edward Matthew Ward masterfully captured this moment through satire and caricature, highlighting both Dr. Samuel Johnson's significance as a writer and philosopher while shedding light on the complexities inherent in navigating relationships within Britain's elite circles.
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