The Pretty Bar Maid

This mezzotint was made by John Collet and is based on his original painting. Collet lived and worked in Chelsea and generally painted London subjects in a manner similar to that of William Hogarth. Collet's pictures examin the behavior of all social classes, often from a satirical perspective. This print was published and sold by Carington Bowles, who also bought Collet's original painting. Bowles' print shop, a family business, was situated in St Paul's Churchyard. He made a name publishing comic prints or 'drolls' by Collet, Robert Dighton and other artists.

This print shows an army officer in uniform leaning across the bar to stare at the barmaid in a lewd manner. The desert he is eating has attracted the attention of a dog. The other dog is cocking his leg on the bar. The artist is perhaps making a humorous comparison between the behavior of the officer and the animals.