Nixon, A Cornish Hugg: Billingsgate (1781)

A tall, stout fish-wife has seized a fashionably dressed man round the waist and lifted him up; his hat and tasselled cane have fallen to the ground. She is neatly dressed, with a flat hat tied over her cap, a checked apron, clocked stockings, and buckled shoes, but she wears a soldier’s coat over her dress. There are three spectators: a woman (right) in profile to the left, gapes with astonishment; a neatly dressed man wearing an apron standing behind a fish-stall looks on with quiet amusement; an apple-woman sits (left) grinning, arms akimbo. Beside her is a large basket heaped with a pyramid of fruit. A fish-stall and a basket have been overturned (right) and the contents lie on the ground.
In the background is Billingsgate Dock, with masts and rigging; on the right is one of the market buildings, inscribed ‘BILLINGSGATE’. A proof before title, which is added in ink. 5 June 1781
Etching

Available to view online via The British Museum. With grateful thanks from Stephen Curtin.