HOGARTH’S PICTURE OF THE RED SEA.
Reading edition
Hogarth was once applied to, by a certain nobleman, to paint on his staircase a representation of the Destruction of Pharaoh’s host in the Red Sea. In attempting to fix upon the price, Hogarth became disgusted with the miserly conduct of his patron, who was unwilling to give more than half the real value of the picture. At last, out of all patience, he agreed to his terms. In two or three days the picture was ready. The nobleman, surprised at such expedition, immediately called to examine it, and found the space painted all over red.
“Zounds!” said the purchaser, “what have you here? I ordered a scene of the Red Sea.”
“The Red Sea you have,” said the painter.
“But where are the Israelites?”
“They are all gone over.”
“And where are the Egyptians?”
“They are all drowned.”
The miser’s confusion could only be equalled by the haste with which he paid his bill. The biter was bit.