Miravan opening the tomb of his ancestors in search of treasure, discovers that the treasure is not gold but repose. Mezzotint by V. Green after Joseph Wright of Derby, 1772.

  • Wright, Joseph, 1734-1797.
Date:
Decem.r 18th 1772
Reference:
46788i
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Description

"One of the prints in Mr. Berkeley's sitting-room caught Frank's attention particularly: it was from a picture of Wright--under it were written these words: "Miravan—A young nobleman of Ingria breaking open the tomb of his ancestors in search of wealth (incited by this equivocal inscription—. In this tomb is a treasure greater than ever Cræsus possessed,') found, on entering it, the following: Here dwells repose. Sacrilegious wretch! searchest thou for gold among the dead? Go, son of avarice, thou canst not enjoy repose." Frank called Lewis to look at this print, and to read what was written beneath it. Lewis wondered that the story was told of a young nobleman in Ingria, because he recollected, in the first volume of Herodotus, which he had just read at school, a similar story told of Darius, and of a princess who. had been buried over one of the gates of Babylon. Mrs. Berkeley took down the Greek Herodotus, and gave Frank the translation, that he might look for the story. Frank found it, and eagerly read it aloud, happy to do honour to his friend Lewis. Mr. Berkeley asked his daughter to copy the print for Frank, which she kindly promised; of which Frank was very glad, but he still more enjoyed the praises of his friend, whose excellent memory pleased all present—all, except Shaw, who could not bear the praise of any talents, but his own. He had first asserted that he was sure there was no such thing in Herodotus; looked mortified when Frank found it, and tried to comfort himself by disparaging Herodotus, who, as he said, was known to be the father of lies. He attacked his translator too, and endeavoured to fix the attention of the company by his own superior knowledge of Greek, in detecting some small error; but this failing, he looked excessively mortified."--Edgeworth, loc. cit.

Publication/Creation

[London] (Cheapside) : Publish'd ... by J. Boydell, Decem.r 18th 1772.

Physical description

1 print : mezzotint ; image 46 x 35.5 cm

Lettering

Jos. Wright pinxit. V. Green fecit Lettering in the lettered state of this print: "Miravan—A young nobleman of Ingria breaking open the tomb of his ancestors in search of wealth (incited by this equivocal inscription, "In this tomb is a treasure greater than ever Cræsus possessed") found, on entering it, the following : "Here dwells repose. Sacrilegious wretch, searchest thou for gold among the dead! Go, son of avarice, thou can'st not enjoy repose."

Edition

[State before subject lettering].

References note

Maria Edgeworth, Early lessons: sequel to Frank, Boston 1825, p. 333 (Works of Maria Edgeworth, Volume XII)
Alfred Whitman, British mezzotinters: Valentine Green, London 1902, no. 174, pp. 129-130
Benedict Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby, London 1968, vol. 1, no. 222, pp. 53-54, p. 243 (referred to in Wright's account book as "The young nobleman in his ancestors tomb, Mr Milne, £105")
William L. Pressly, 'Joseph Wright of Derby's "Miravan breaking open the tomb of his ancestors": variations on an Arabian tale', The British Art Journal, 2000, 2: 14-19

Reference

Wellcome Collection 46788i

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