The engraving depicts the exterior of the “Old Ashmolean” building at the University of Oxford. We see it at a slight distance, with a good view of the street on which it is stationed. Three figures can be seen in the foreground. One is a scholar, dressed in cap and gown. The other two, a man and a woman, are dressed as gentility. The scholar points towards the entrance of the building.
Through images culled from two Romantic-era guidebooks, this gallery examines two early public museums in England: the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford and the British Museum in London.
Twelve portraits are given in this collection of figures: the second features a woman and two children, while the rest are individual portraits. The members of the dinner party, many portrayed holding wine glasses or utensils, are displayed with dialogue.
George IV, pictured as a guard, stands before a door, holding a pole with an evidence bag which reads "BEWARE of the Report of a BAD HOUSE." From the house's open window, Queen Caroline holds a torch, labeled “DEFENCE,” to the bag. Two men, identified as Brougham and Denman, watch the scene from within the window (George 80).
A man sits while a woman examines his head. The right side of the image shows a mapped skull placed on a table. This image satirically portrays a phrenological reading. Considering that may caricatures of phrenology are set in a consultation room or lecture hall, the lack of specific context may suggest a private setting.
A phrenologist lectures to a seated audience. The writing below the print identifies the phrenologist as James De Ville; however, M. George posits that the phrenologist is George Combe (George 606). He holds a wig in his right hand and gestures to the audience with his left.
