The Tale of Cupid: The Story of two Georges and a Pig
Simon Drew
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
2011 - 2012
Materials
Place of origin
Dartmouth
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 348915
Summary
Series of four pen and ink drawings (caricatures) entitled: "The Tale of Cupid: The story of two Georges and a Pig", commissioned for 2012's exhibition: 'Life in the Past Lane, the People of Cotehele'. Simon Drew was invited to artistically represent, for display in the Old Drawing Room throughout the 2012 season, the characters of George and Emma who became the first Earl and Countess of Mount Edgcumbe. Simon described his inspiration for this work: “George and Emma combine the English love of aristocracy and history with our fascination with eccentricity. Many people love pigs and many would like to keep a pig as a pet, but not many manage it. Even fewer carry this obsession to the extremes Emma managed! Imagine a happy evening by the fire in the Drawing room with George worrying over his accounts and Emma concentrating on her needlework with her porcine pet, Cupid, looking lovingly into her eyes…and then imagine mixing this idyllic tableau with a visit by George III and his wife Charlotte. Remembering the wild fantasies of King George, you are left with a scene of rural bliss in the Cornish countryside. What could possibly go wrong?”
Makers and roles
Simon Drew, artist